King Salmon, Alaska – It's time to cast your vote in the biggest contest of animal bulk: Fat Bear Week 2026 has begun!

Welcome to Fat Bear Week 2026, which celebrates brown bears' ability to pack on life-preserving pounds.

The first four brackets in the single-elimination contest that celebrates are now open. Online voting kicked off on Tuesday, September 22, at 12 PM ET and runs through 9 PM.

On Wednesday, another bracket opens, and the contest continues until September 29, when the fattest of them all will be crowned!

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Event organizers suggest that voters pick "the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears."

The bear with the most votes will proceed to the next round, but only one burly brown bear will claim the 2026 Fat Bear Week crown.

Let's get ready for the first head-to-head matchups!

For the first time in the beloved contest's 12-year history, the first two brackets boast a twist: They feature two Katmai Conservancy bear families.

"There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time," Park Superintendent Mark Sturm said in a press release. 

First up is 132 Family vs. 284 Family.

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Bear 132's family consists of three cubs, and per the Fat Bear Week's Meet the Bears section, this family has had luck on their side. One cub disappeared for multiple days, only to find its way back to Mama.

The 284 Family boasts an experienced bear mom with two cubs who isn't afraid to "challenge other bears and sometimes people to protect her personal space or offspring."

Also vying for your vote are two more families: 806 Family and 901 Family.

806 Family boasts a mama bear and two mixed-aged cubs – in a rarity for bears, one of Bear 806's cubs is adopted. The 901 Family consists of the subadult bear 901 and one spring cub.

Which family do you think is the most fabulously fat?

Tuesday's other two brackets feature traditional battles of single bears.

The blonde who has turned round and brown, 131 Marshmallow, is up against another large female, Bear 910.

Make sure you're checking out the glorious before-and-after pics of these amazing animals to see how they went from spring skinny to fall fat!

Tuesday's final match is between daughters of former Fat Bear Week champions: Bear 909, the daughter of 409 Beadnose, and 428 Studious, the daughter of 128 Grazer.

These ladies' salmon munching has clearly paid off, but which one do you like best?

Make sure you've got a handle on these chonks and know which one deserves your vote.

Fat Bear Week 2026 could be the best yet – stay tuned!