A unique Street Fighter 6 tournament in Japan, dubbed "Sleep Fighter," prioritizes sleep as a key competitive element. Learn more about this innovative event and its notable participants.

Japan's "Sleep Fighter" SF6 Tournament: Sleep Deprivation Means Point Deductions

This Capcom-endorsed tournament, organized by SS Pharmaceuticals to promote their sleep aid Drewell, introduces a groundbreaking rule: insufficient sleep equals point penalties.

Teams of three battle in best-of-three matches, accumulating points through wins and "Sleep Points" based on logged sleep hours. The week before the tournament, each team member must log at least six hours of sleep nightly. Teams failing to reach a collective 126 hours will lose five points per deficient hour. The team with the most total sleep time gains the advantage of choosing match conditions.

SS Pharmaceuticals highlights the importance of sleep for peak performance, launching the "Let's Do the Challenge, Let's Sleep First" campaign to encourage healthy sleep habits. The Sleep Fighter tournament is reportedly the first esports event to penalize sleep deprivation.

The tournament takes place on August 31st at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo. Limited in-person attendance (100 people via lottery) will be complemented by a live stream on YouTube and Twitch. Specific broadcast details will be announced on the official website and Twitter (X) account.

The event features over a dozen professional players and streamers, including prominent figures like two-time EVO champion "Itazan" Itabashi Zangief and top SF player Dogura. This tournament promises a thrilling blend of competitive gaming and a focus on sleep wellness.