It may be hard to believe, but an unusual competition is being prepared in Japan where a large cash prize can be won for just 90 minutes of sleep. As part of this event, participants will not have to run, jump, or complete complex tasks; they will simply need to lie in bed and try to sleep well. This competition is called 'Mattrace by Koala.'
During the contest, participants' sleep will be monitored by special devices. The main winner will receive a reward of 222 million yen, equivalent to approximately 13.7–13.8 million rupees.
Simply lying in bed and closing your eyes will not be sufficient to participate in this contest. The main task is the quality of sleep. Participants will be issued sleep trackers that will allow them to assess how quickly they fell asleep, how deep the sleep was, what the overall sleep quality was, and how stable it remained throughout all 90 minutes. A special 'sleep score' will be calculated based on these indicators, which will determine the winner. Organizers emphasize that the evaluation system was developed under medical supervision.
Preparation for sleep is also part of the process. Before the competition begins, participants will undergo special exercises not aimed at combating insomnia, but rather at preparing for sleep, such as 'Insleep Exercise' or 'Inmin Taiso'. The goal of these sessions is to relax participants and prepare them for rest. Additionally, participants will be provided with various 'sleep elements' to create diverse conditions for the sleep experience.
The most interesting part of the contest is the sudden 'sleep disturbances' that will be created while participants are sleeping. This is done to test how well a person can maintain their sleep despite external interference. Thus, not only the speed of falling asleep is important, but also the ability to maintain sleep even if a small noise or another problem arises that could disrupt rest.
This entire competition is scheduled for October 5, 2026, in the Minami Aoyama area of Tokyo. Three separate contests will take place during the day, and about 20 people will participate in each race. Each real sleep session will last 90 minutes. The first contest is scheduled from 12:00 to 14:00, the second from 14:30 to 16:30, and the third from 17:00 to 19:00. These time frames include additional time for organization and procedure execution.
The grand prize of 222 million yen will go to only one winner. However, special awards are also provided for various aspects of sleep. For example, there is a 'Deep Sleep Award' for those who sleep very deeply, as well as a 'Sleep Flip Award' for participants demonstrating a special or unconventional sleeping posture.
To participate in the contest, one must be at least 20 years old. It is important to note that participants are prohibited from intentionally staying awake all night or artificially restricting sleep to gain an advantage. Furthermore, the use of sleeping pills or any other medication to improve sleep is strictly forbidden during participation in the competition.