Make way for the king of the river! After a week of fierce competition, thousands of votes and more than a few packed-on pounds, Bear 89, also known as "Backpack," has been crowned the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion.

As one of the largest adult males in the competition this year, 89 outlasted his rivals, including adult female 910 in the final matchup.

Fat Bear Week followers won't be too surprised, as 89 has some serious championship pedigree. His mother is Holly, the 2019 Fat Bear Week champion.

"Backpack" was known for riding on his mom's back whenever they swam, resulting in his adorable nickname. 

(MORE: Fat Bear Week 2026 Recap)

After suffering a leg injury in his youth, park officials and visitors wondered if Backpack would survive, but with his mom’s care and some time to heal, he bounced back.

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Since then, he has grown into a gentle giant, using his size and quiet confidence to claim his spot without brawling, unlike many other adult bears in Katmai National Park.

Why all that fat matters

Of course, Fat Bear Week isn't really about bears getting a beach body. It's about survival.

These competitors (along with the rest of the bears in Katmai National Park and beyond) spent the summer eating as much as they could to build up energy reserves before winter, when food becomes scarce and they retreat to their dens.

(MORE: Why do bears bulk up before hibernation?)

As temperatures drop and the salmon runs wind down, Katmai’s bears will eventually settle in for hibernation, generally beginning sometime in October or November.

We celebrate the fattest bears because they've built themselves the biggest energy reserves for the long winter ahead.

So that spectacularly chunky 89? He's not just winning a title, he's preparing for what's next.

And that’s a wrap on Fat Bear Week 2026! Thanks for following along with us all week, casting your votes, updating your brackets and playing bear-cam bingo.

We'll see all these chonky challengers again next year.

(MORE: Former Fat Bear Week champions)