Fat Bear Week is back, and the excitement is already building. Starting September 23 and running through September 30, 2025, fans across the United States will once again have the chance to vote for their favorite massive brown bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska. Before the main contest, Fat Bear Junior, a cub-focused competition, takes place September 18–19, giving young bears their own moment in the spotlight.
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What Is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual celebration of brown bears preparing for winter hibernation. Each fall, the bears of Katmai National Park feast on salmon, gaining weight to survive the long, harsh winter ahead. The event showcases before-and-after photos of the bears, allowing people to vote online in a tournament-style bracket to determine which bear has bulked up the most impressively.
It’s more than just entertainment. The contest highlights the importance of conservation, salmon populations, and the unique ecosystems that support these animals.
2025 Competition Schedule
This year’s event follows the traditional format but with a few exciting features:
- Fat Bear Junior: September 18–19, featuring young cubs who have shown remarkable growth. The winner earns a place in the main bracket.
- Main Bracket Reveal: September 22, when the official lineup of competitors is announced.
- Fat Bear Week Voting: September 23–30, with daily matchups leading to the crowning of the fattest bear.
- Champion Announced: September 30, after the final vote decides this year’s winner.
Why the Bears Are So Fat
The massive size of these bears isn’t just for show. In late summer and early fall, bears enter a stage called hyperphagia, where they eat nearly nonstop. Salmon runs provide them with calorie-dense food, allowing them to pack on hundreds of pounds.
This fat storage is critical for survival. During hibernation, bears live entirely off their fat reserves, going months without eating. Fat Bear Week celebrates this cycle and reminds people of the natural rhythms of wildlife.
Which Bears to Watch in 2025
Every year, certain bears stand out as fan favorites:
- The Heavyweights: Older, dominant males who return to Brooks River each year with staggering size.
- The Mothers: Female bears with cubs, balancing the challenge of feeding themselves while protecting and teaching their young.
- The Comebacks: Bears who survived injuries, competition, or tough conditions but still managed to gain impressive weight.
- The Cubs: Small but growing, these young bears often surprise fans with their resilience and rapid growth.
Part of the fun comes from following individual stories. Fans often root not only for size but also for determination, personality, and unique journeys.
How Voting Works
Voting is simple and open to everyone. Each day, two bears face off in an online matchup, and fans vote for the one they believe deserves to advance. It’s single elimination, so only one bear from each pair moves forward until the final matchup crowns the champion.
Photos show the bears earlier in the summer compared to their current size, making the transformations clear. The contest isn’t always about the biggest bear—it’s about who made the most impressive change.
The Importance of Fat Bear Week
While the competition is lighthearted, the message is serious. Fat Bear Week draws attention to:
- Wildlife Conservation: Protecting salmon runs and habitats that allow bears to thrive.
- Education: Teaching the public about hibernation, feeding habits, and the importance of ecosystems.
- Connection to Nature: Giving people across the U.S. a chance to observe bears they may never see in person.
The event has grown into a global phenomenon, but it holds special value for Americans who want to support national parks and wildlife protection.
What Makes 2025 Special
This year’s contest comes after a strong salmon run, meaning many bears are expected to look larger than usual. The cubs competing in Fat Bear Junior are also receiving extra attention, as several have grown remarkably fast since spring.
Viewership continues to grow, with more fans tuning in, sharing photos, and debating which bear deserves the crown. The sense of community around the event is part of what makes it so beloved.
Tips for Following the Event
If you want to enjoy Fat Bear Week to the fullest, here are some tips:
- Watch the bears regularly: Observing them over several days gives you a better sense of their personalities and progress.
- Learn their stories: Bears are identified by numbers and names, and many have long histories at Katmai.
- Compare the photos: The before-and-after images show just how dramatic their transformations can be.
- Get friends involved: Voting and debating matchups is more fun when shared.
Why Fans Love It
Fat Bear Week is popular because it combines humor with education. Seeing giant, fluffy bears may seem lighthearted, but it underscores serious ecological truths. The event also builds community—families, classrooms, and workplaces across the U.S. participate, cheering for their favorite bear.
It’s an event where conservation meets pop culture, and that balance keeps it engaging year after year.
Looking Back and Ahead
In past years, champions have included both giant males and hard-working mothers. Fans never know whether the crown will go to sheer size or to a bear with an inspiring story. That unpredictability keeps people invested.
Looking ahead, the continued success of Fat Bear Week ensures it will remain a staple of fall traditions, drawing more attention to Alaska’s wildlife and the need to protect it.
Conclusion
Fat Bear Week is more than just a contest—it’s a celebration of survival, strength, and the beauty of nature. As the 2025 competition unfolds, fans will have the chance to witness extraordinary transformations, cast their votes, and connect with one of America’s most unique wildlife events.
So, who will you root for this year? Whether it’s a heavyweight champion, a determined mother, or a fast-growing cub, every bear tells a story worth following.