A bear named Backpack has been declared the winner of Fat Bear Week 2026, an annual competition held at Alaska's Katmai National Park that celebrates bears who have fattened up ahead of winter hibernation.
Backpack beat out bear 910 in the final matchup of the competition, according to reports from the Associated Press, The New York Times, CBS News and PBS NewsHour.
CBS News reported that Backpack is an offspring of a former Fat Bear Week champion. The Associated Press described Backpack as a "gentle giant."
The competition, tracked by multiple outlets including the Washington Times, draws public attention to the bears of Katmai National Park each year as they prepare for hibernation.
How each side covered it
Left
- Reports named Backpack as the 2026 Fat Bear Week winner.
- CBS News highlighted that Backpack is the offspring of a former champion.
- PBS NewsHour framed the contest as a final showdown between bear 910 and Backpack.
- The Associated Press described Backpack as a "gentle giant."
“Alaska’s Fat Bear Week Winner Is 89 Backpack” — The New York Times
Right
- The Washington Times referenced the Alaska Fat Bear Week event.
“Alaska Fat Bear Week” — The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
Who won Fat Bear Week 2026?
A bear named Backpack was declared the winner of Fat Bear Week 2026 at Alaska's Katmai National Park, beating bear 910 in the final matchup.
What is Fat Bear Week?
Fat Bear Week is an annual competition at Katmai National Park in Alaska that highlights bears who have gained significant weight in preparation for winter hibernation.
Is Backpack related to a previous winner?
According to CBS News, Backpack is the offspring of a former Fat Bear Week champion.
Who did Backpack beat to win?
Backpack beat bear 910 in the final showdown of the 2026 competition, according to PBS NewsHour.
Sources · 12 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningGentle giant Backpack wins Alaska’s Fat Bear Week
- Associated PressLeft-leaningGentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska’s Fat Bear Week
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningBackpack voted Fat Bear Week 2026 winner, beating former champ's offspring
- HuffPostLeft-leaningGentle Giant Backpack Declared Winner Of Alaska's Fat Bear Week
- PBS NewsHourLeft-leaningBear 910 vs. Backpack: It's the final showdown for Alaska's Fat Bear Week
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningAlaska’s Fat Bear Week Winner Is 89 Backpack
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningFat Bear Week’s new winner is 89 ‘Backpack’
- BBC NewsCenter'Backpack' declared Alaska's Fat Bear Week winner
- BBC SportCenter'Backpack' declared Alaska's Fat Bear Week winner
- The Straits TimesCenterBackpack is the fattest of the fat bears in the US
- New York PostRight-leaningGentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska’s Fat Bear Week
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningThe final showdown of Alaska's Fat Bear Week comes down to heavyweights Bear 910 and Backpack