Sleeping is something we all do, but have you ever imagined turning it into a competition or even a way to earn some serious cash?
Koala Japan, a mattress brand, has announced a brand-new experiential sleep competition called "Matt Race by Koala," set to take place on October 5th in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. Participants will lie down on Koala mattresses and compete to see who has the best "sleep quality." The grand prize winner will walk away with 2.22 million Japanese Yen, and this bizarre competition has already become a hot topic among Japanese netizens.
During the competition, participants will wear sleep-tracking devices and lie on Koala mattresses for a 90-minute "sleep race." The event will measure data such as sleep depth and quality, time taken to fall asleep, and sleep stability. Under the supervision of a medical professional, a unique "sleep score" will be calculated for the event.
The participant with the highest score will be crowned the champion and receive the 2.22 million Japanese Yen prize, conceptualized around the "Zzz" sound of sleeping. Beyond the grand prize, the organizers have also prepared a variety of hilariously creative special awards. These include the "Deep Sleep Dive Award" for those who achieve exceptional sleep depth, and the "Acrobatic Sleeper Award" for contestants whose sleeping positions go far beyond typical back, side, or stomach sleeping, showcasing truly unique slumber styles.
However, this competition isn't just about "lying down and sleeping." Before the official race, participants will engage in a preparatory activity called "sleep gymnastics" – not your typical warm-up exercises. Furthermore, "sleep aids" that influence sleep quality will be randomly distributed to contestants.
During the competition, the organizers even plan to introduce "sleep interference" segments, suddenly disturbing those who are sleeping soundly. The ability to continue sleeping despite these unexpected disruptions will be the key to victory.
News of this competition has certainly stirred up a buzz. Some netizens jokingly suggested inviting Nobita from "Doraemon" to compete, as he's known for his record of falling asleep in just 0.93 seconds.
Naturally, others, seeing the generous prize money, felt compelled to unleash their lifetime's worth of sleeping prowess and enter the contest.
Event Overview
Event Name: Matt Race by Koala
Date & Time: October 5, 2026, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (tentative)
Award Ceremony: 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: SHARE GREEN MINAMI AOYAMA, 1-12-32 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Competition Format: 3 sessions, 90 minutes each, approximately 20 participants per session
Session 1: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Check-in: 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Session 2: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Check-in: 1:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Session 3: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Check-in: 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Application Period: September 4, 2026 – September 16, 2026
Number of Participants / Entry Fee: Approximately 20 people per session (a lottery will be held if applications exceed capacity) / Free
How to Apply: Fill out the required information via the application form on the special event website
A limited number of on-site registrations are also expected to be available on the day of the event.
Eligibility: Must be 20 years of age or older. Participants must not intentionally stay up late to gain an advantage or participate in a state of severe sleep deprivation. Participants must not take sleep aids, sleep-improving medications, or any other drowsiness-inducing drugs.
via： マットレース by koala PR TIMES