Fat Bear Week 2025 ran from September 23 through September 30, and voting is now closed. During the event, viewers watched Katmai’s brown bears on Explore.org’s live cameras and cast votes at fatbearweek.org; Bear 32, known as Chunk, won the competition.
The next event is expected to be Fat Bear Week 2026, but confirm its dates and details through current National Park Service (NPS) and Explore.org announcements. The 2025 schedule and voting window below are historical, not current instructions.
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What was Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual public-vote bracket competition featuring brown bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Bears face off head-to-head, and public votes determine which bears advance.
The event celebrates the bears’ preparation for winter. During summer, Katmai’s bears feed, including on salmon, and build fat reserves that help them survive hibernation.
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Fat Bear Week began in 2014. The NPS says the idea grew from comparing a bear’s appearance early and late in the summer, and that the event helps people learn about Katmai’s bears and ecosystem.
Where people watched Fat Bear Week 2025
The NPS directed viewers to Explore.org’s live bear cameras to watch bears at Katmai. Watching a camera feed and voting were separate actions: the NPS directed voters to fatbearweek.org during the 2025 contest.
The 2025 event schedule
These dates are historical. The NPS announced the adult bracket reveal for September 22, followed by the main tournament and voting from September 23 through September 30. Fat Bear Junior was a separate contest for cubs, with its bracket revealed September 17 and voting September 18–19.
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Do not assume that these dates or arrangements will carry over to another year. Check current NPS announcements for event dates and Explore.org for live-camera availability.
How voting worked in 2025
Voting for the 2025 competition is closed. During the event, the NPS directed readers to fatbearweek.org to vote; Explore.org was the destination for watching the live cameras. The available research does not establish further ballot rules, so check the event’s official instructions for voting details in a future competition.
- During an active competition, go to the official voting destination announced for that year.
- Follow the on-page instructions to choose a bear and submit your vote.
What should you consider when choosing a bear?
Fat Bear Week is a public-vote competition, not a contest that ranks bears by verified weight. The Associated Press reported that organizers do not weigh bears during the contest because of safety concerns. Consider each bear’s seasonal story and the natural challenges it faces, rather than treating an estimated weight as a measured result.
Who won Fat Bear Week 2025?
Bear 32, known as Chunk, won Fat Bear Week 2025. He defeated Bear 856 in the final, according to the NPS and The Associated Press.
The Associated Press described Chunk as an estimated 1,200 pounds and reported that he had a broken jaw. The weight was an organizer estimate, not a contest measurement; bears are not weighed during the competition.
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The event connects a popular competition with learning about Katmai’s brown bears and ecosystem. Salmon availability is part of the seasonal context: bears feed during summer and build fat reserves that help them survive winter hibernation.
Katmai Park Superintendent Mark Sturm said, “The astonishing salmon runs in Katmai are essential to the survival of the park’s ecosystem and brown bears,” and that Fat Bear Week enables people around the world to engage in learning about bears while cheering for a competitor, according to the NPS’s 2025 announcement.
Where to find the next Fat Bear Week
Fat Bear Week 2025 is over. Follow current National Park Service announcements for event information, and check Explore.org for Katmai bear cameras. Confirm the voting destination and dates through the official announcement for the next competition rather than relying on the 2025 schedule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can I still vote in Fat Bear Week 2025?
No. The 2025 competition ended on September 30, 2025, and its voting period is closed.
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Where could I watch Fat Bear Week 2025?
The NPS directed viewers to Explore.org’s live bear cameras at Katmai. For the next event, check current NPS announcements and Explore.org listings.
Where did people vote in Fat Bear Week 2025?
The NPS directed voters to fatbearweek.org during the contest. Voting is no longer open for the 2025 competition.
Who won Fat Bear Week 2025?
Bear 32, also called Chunk, won. He defeated Bear 856 in the final, according to the NPS and The Associated Press.
When is Fat Bear Week 2026?
Check current National Park Service announcements for confirmed dates. Do not assume the 2025 schedule applies to 2026.
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The Bottom Line
Fat Bear Week 2025 ran September 23–30, and voting is closed. The NPS directed viewers to Explore.org’s live cameras and voters to fatbearweek.org. Bear 32 “Chunk” won the competition; follow current NPS and Explore.org announcements for the next event.
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