Bear #89 (Backpack) wins Fat Bear Week 2026

A new fat bear head wears the crown. Bear #89 Backpack is officially the champion of Fat Bear Week 2026. Backpack beat Bear #910 in the final round of the bracket-style competition where bear enthusiasts from around the world can vote online for their favorite chunky bear in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Backpack took the title from last year’s champion, Bear #32 (Chunk). Chunk lost to fishing ace and Katmai newcomer Bear #164 (Bucky Dent) in Round 1, Part 2 on September 24.