How to vote in Fat Bear Week 2025 and why it matters

Fat Bear Week is back for 2025, giving fans around the world the chance to crown the chunkiest brown bear in Katmai National Park.

The annual online tournament runs from September 23 to September 30, with voting taking place each day on the official Fat Bear Week site.

The event highlights the survival struggle of Alaska’s brown bears as they pack on pounds before hibernation. Contestants are matched up in a single-elimination bracket, and the public decides who advances by casting daily votes online. The winner is announced on September 30.

This year’s line-up features 12 adult bears, including returning champion 128 Grazer, her offspring 128 Jr., crowd favorite 32 Chunk, and 602 Flotato. Each bear has a backstory, from injuries to raising cubs, that adds extra intrigue to the matchups.

How to vote for the fattest bear

Voting is simple. Each day, two bears are paired against one another in the bracket. Fans choose their pick on the official site, with polls typically open from 12pm to 9pm ET. One vote per email is allowed per matchup per day, and the bear with the most votes moves on to the next round.

To take part, head to the Feat Bear Week website, click on your chosen bear’s photo, and enter your email to confirm. Matchups change daily until the final showdown on September 30.

The competition also features Fat Bear Junior, a preliminary round for cubs, with the winner advancing to the main bracket.

What’s the point?

While this is just light-hearted fun, Fat Bear Week draws attention to the importance of fat reserves for brown bears’ survival during hibernation and the critical role salmon runs play in their ecosystem. The contest has become a global event, attracting millions of votes and bringing conservation awareness to audiences worldwide.

Fans can follow along by voting daily and watching Katmai’s bears live through the park’s webcams.