Fat Bear Week 2025 Arrives Early: Meet the Giant Bears of Katmai National Park

Fat Bear Week has returned, and this year it’s kicking off ahead of schedule. The beloved annual competition, where fans around the world vote for their favorite chunky brown bears of Alaska, will begin on September 23, 2025—a week earlier than usual.

Katmai National Park and Preserve officials announced the change after observing the bears in peak condition, thanks to an extraordinary salmon run.

“This year’s salmon numbers surpassed anything seen in recent memory,” said Matt Johnson, the park’s interpretation program manager. “As a result, the brown bears of Katmai are well-nourished and spending more time playing than fighting.”

The official bracket for Fat Bear Week will be revealed on September 22, featuring past champions such as 128 Grazer, 480 Otis, and 747 ‘Bear Force One’—a bear estimated to weigh 1,400 pounds. Fans will vote through September 30, when a new champion will be crowned.