Fat Bear Week 2025 Odds: The Grizzliest Tournament of the Year Begins

_{Who needs a sportsbook when you can have the ultimate showdown in the race for fattest bear in Katmai National Park? (Image: Destination Scenics)}

Fat Bear Week is back, and the internet can bear-ly contain itself. Every fall, the bears of Brooks River in Katmai National Park turn their summer of salmon feasting into a single-elimination tournament celebrating survival. 

These bears aren’t just getting fat for fun. They are preparing to spend months in hibernation, living entirely off the body fat they’ve built over summer.

Fans can cast their votes each day from September 23 through September 30, with polls open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific). 

Each matchup is winner-take-all, and the bear with the most votes moves on until one is crowned the Fat Bear Week champion.

So, the oddsmakers and traders at Casinos.com put together hypothetical odds for the first-round matchups and the competition’s outright winner.

First-Round Matchups & Odds (Sept. 23)

128 Jr. vs 609

Odds: 128 Jr. +105 | 609 -125

128 Jr. is the cub of Grazer, Katmai’s reigning two-time Fat Bear Week champion, so she carries the weight of a family dynasty. Still young and learning the ropes, she represents the future of the river. 609, meanwhile, is already a decorated competitor, having won Fat Bear Jr. in 2022, and she looks bulkier than ever this fall. 

This is the perfect next-generation showdown: the prodigy versus the proven star. The extra year of growth and a past title give 609 the narrow edge, but expect a nail-biter.

_{Will this brown bear claim the top spot? Standing tall on a rock at Brooks Falls. (Image: Destination Scenics)} 

503 vs 901

Odds: 503 +120 | 901 -140

503 is one of Brooks River’s most familiar faces and is known for his calm temperament, often yielding fishing spots to others. That quiet demeanor has earned him a loyal following, but it sometimes means he is overlooked compared to flashier bears. 901 comes into this year in peak form, with rangers saying she’s “never been fatter.” 

Her massive size will be hard for voters to ignore. This could be the most lopsided first-round matchup on paper, but 503’s fan base could make things closer than the odds suggest if they mobilize. 

26 vs 909

Odds: 26 +102 | 909 -122

26 has been busy raising twin cubs this year, balancing the challenge of protecting and feeding them while bulking up enough to survive hibernation. That storyline could attract votes from those who favor hardworking mothers. 909, the daughter of former champion 409 Beadnose, has strong genetics and an aggressive fishing style that keep her in top condition. 

This one could come down to which story resonates more with voters: the multitasking mama or the skilled solo fisher.

99 vs 856

Odds: 99 -110 | 856 -110 (Pick’em)

99 is younger and has been turning heads with her distinctive chocolate-colored coat, giving her a unique visual edge in a photo-driven competition. 856 is a grizzled veteran and former dominant male at Brooks River, often referred to as the “Old Man of the River.” 

This is a classic experience-versus-youth battle and easily the toughest matchup to call. The outcome will likely depend on which bear’s images catch fire on social media during the voting window.

Outright Winner Odds

After factoring in first-round matchups and bye positions, here’s how the title race looks:

These prices show just how competitive this year’s field is. 910 is the clear front-runner thanks to her massive frame and dominant presence on the river, but she will face a tough road if 128 Grazer advances to meet her in the quarterfinals. 

32 Chunk remains a fan favorite after last year’s runner-up finish and could finally get his redemption story. 901 looks like the value play, entering in peak condition with a relatively favorable draw. 

Dark horses like 609 and 909 could shake things up if they ride early-round momentum and catch voters’ attention at the right time. 

With Fat Bear Week decided entirely by fan votes, one viral photo or coordinated campaign can completely change the odds overnight.

Fat Bear Week’s Rising Popularity

Interest in Fat Bear Week is surging once again, with search trends showing just how far this quirky event has spread across the country. It is no surprise that Alaska leads the way, since this is where Brooks River’s bears live and where the tradition began. 

What stands out is how much enthusiasm is showing up outside the state, with strong interest in Montana, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and even Washington, D.C. This enthusiasm for contests and games makes it a great time to explore sweepstakes casinos that are available even in states without traditional real-money gambling.

Fat Bear Week is a celebration of survival and resourcefulness. 910 is the rightful favorite, but this field is deep enough that any bear can make a run if voters get behind them. 

As always, a single viral snapshot can flip the bracket upside down, which is what makes this event one of the most fun and unpredictable weeks of the year.

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