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Los Angeles will host the world’s first live sperm race on April 25 at the Hollywood Palladium. The event will feature two sperm samples racing through a custom-designed 20 cm track that mimics the female reproductive system. Around 4,000 people are expected to attend the race.
The race is being organised by Sperm Racing, a startup founded and run by teenagers. They want to turn health into a sport. The goal is to raise awareness about male fertility, using spectacle to highlight a serious issue.
The race will include real-time broadcasts, large screens, play-by-play commentary, stats, and replays. The track uses fluid dynamics and chemical cues to reflect the sperm's natural path inside the body.
The idea may seem strange, but it’s backed by data and a clear health message.
What is sperm race?
The sperm race involves two sperm samples released onto a racetrack built to simulate the female reproductive tract. Each sperm cell is around 0.05 millimetres long. They race side-by-side through the track’s tunnels and curves.
The average sperm swims at 5 mm per minute. The race could take up to 40 minutes. The winner is the sperm that reaches the end first.
Only one sperm wins, just like in natural fertilisation. The race reflects this competitive journey in a way that’s both visual and educational.
How you can play this game?
This race is not just a live event. It’s part of a larger push to gamify health. Sperm Racing has opened the idea to public engagement. You can choose a team, watch the race live or online, and even place bets on which sperm will win.
Each race uses anonymised samples. The first match is between donors from UCLA and USC. High-resolution imaging lets you follow every movement on-screen.
There will also be interactive booths and fertility education zones at the venue. Visitors can learn more about sperm health, fertility, and testing options.
The team plans to launch a mobile app that tracks sperm health. Users can later submit samples to race virtually. It combines health data with entertainment.
Why it is becoming a sport?
Eric Zhu, the 17-year-old co-founder, says this is a way to make men talk about fertility. "Sperm motility matters," he said. "We’re not just raising awareness, we’re making it fun."
A study in Human Reproduction Update showed sperm counts in men have dropped by more than 50% over the past 50 years. That trend affects global fertility rates.
About 7% of adult men face infertility. Many don’t even realise it. Most cases link to low sperm count or motility, often caused by smoking, alcohol, poor sleep, or other lifestyle factors.
Sperm Racing has raised $1 million from investors like Karatage and Figment Capital. The idea is gaining attention because it mixes humour with science, aiming to break taboos around male health.
"This isn’t just a stunt," said Zhu. "We’re building a sport around something people are scared to talk about."
Sperm Racing wants men to treat sperm health like fitness. "You train your body. Why not your fertility?" their manifesto says. They aim to build a culture where sperm health is measurable, improvable, and something to talk about.
The Hollywood Palladium event will include expert talks, educational panels, and health screenings. A portion of the proceeds will support fertility research.
Live commentary will analyse sperm movement using metrics like velocity and morphology. Even if you’re not at the event, you can follow it online and join the conversation.
Sperm Racing is strange, funny, and serious all at once. And that’s the point. They want you to laugh, then think, and maybe ask yourself when you last got your fertility checked.
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