Overview

• The National Park Service set this year’s dates, with Fat Bear Junior scheduled for Sept. 18–19 and the main bracket from Sept. 23–30.
• Organizers say brackets and competitor bios have not yet been released for the 11th annual edition.
• Fans worldwide can watch multiple live webcams at Katmai’s Brooks River and Brooks Falls and vote online through Explore.org.
• The single-elimination format invites voters to pick the bear that best exemplifies seasonal fatness and success before winter.
• Last year’s bracket reveal was briefly delayed after a fatal mauling seen on the live cams, and 128 Grazer won the 2024 title.