Get ready for a unique Street Fighter 6 tournament: Japan is hosting the "Sleep Fighter," a competition where getting enough shut-eye is just as crucial as landing perfect combos. Read on to discover the details of this unusual event and its impressive lineup.
This isn't your average fighting game tournament. Backed by Capcom and organized by SS Pharmaceuticals (to promote their sleep aid, Drewell), the Sleep Fighter tournament introduces a revolutionary twist: sleep points.
The tournament is team-based (three players per team), with teams competing in best-of-three matches to accumulate points. But here's the catch: in addition to winning matches, teams earn "Sleep Points" based on their collective sleep time.
For the week leading up to the tournament, each team member must log at least six hours of sleep nightly. Teams failing to reach a combined 126 hours will face a five-point penalty for every hour short. The team with the highest total sleep time also gains a strategic advantage—they get to choose the tournament's match conditions.
SS Pharmaceuticals aims to highlight the importance of sleep for peak performance with their "Let's Do the Challenge, Let's Sleep First" campaign. The Sleep Fighter tournament is reportedly the first esports event to penalize insufficient sleep.
The Sleep Fighter tournament takes place August 31st at the Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo. Limited to 100 attendees (selected by lottery), the event will be livestreamed on YouTube and Twitch for global audiences. Details on the broadcast will be available on the official tournament website and Twitter (X) account.
This exciting event will feature a roster of top-tier professional players and streamers, including two-time EVO champion "Itazan" Itabashi Zangief and renowned SF player Dogura, among others. Prepare for a thrilling blend of competitive gaming and sleep wellness!