Overview

• Fat Bear Junior runs Sept. 18–19 as a precursor, and its cub champion advances to the main tournament.
• Park officials report an exceptional sockeye run that left bears unusually well-fed, reduced crowding at Brooks Falls, and led to less fighting and more play.
• The single-elimination contest features 12 bears, with first-round byes for four entrants and the champion crowned on Sept. 30.
• Public voting takes place daily at FatBearWeek.org, supported by free Explore.org bear cams operated with Katmai Conservancy and park partners.
• Storylines include two-time defending champion 128 Grazer seeking a three-peat and 32 Chunk fishing strongly despite a broken jaw, with 128 Junior competing in the cub bracket.