Tokyo to host sleep tournament with $12,800 prize

A unique sleep competition titled ‘Mattrace by Koala’ is scheduled to take place in Tokyo on October 5, 2026, at Share Green Minami Aoyama. Organized by Koala Japan, the tournament will award 2.22 million yen (approximately $12,800) to the individual who demonstrates the highest quality of sleep during a controlled 90-minute session.

Participants will be monitored using devices to track various metrics, including sleep depth, quality, stability, and the time taken to fall asleep. These data points will be evaluated under medical supervision to determine a final score. To ensure fairness, the use of sleeping medications and intentional sleep deprivation is prohibited.

The event will consist of three sessions, each featuring 20 participants selected via a lottery. Beyond the grand prize, special awards will be presented, such as the ‘Deep Sleep Dive Award’ for maximum sleep depth and the ‘Sleep-Turning Acrobat Award’ for the most unusual sleeping positions. Participants will also engage in preparatory exercises and receive random ‘sleep items’ intended to influence their rest conditions.