Tokyo: Sony has introduced a gaming-history requirement for customers hoping to buy a PlayStation 5 Pro through its latest sales campaign in Japan, with buyers required to have at least 60 hours of PS4 or PS5 gameplay recorded on their account.
Sony Interactive Entertainment opened purchase applications for the PS5 Pro through the Japanese Sony Store on September 28. If the number of eligible applications exceeds the available stock, Sony will select buyers through a lottery.
The move comes as the PS5 Pro remains difficult to obtain in Japan, with Sony introducing eligibility requirements that limit the application process to established PlayStation users.
60 hours of PS4 or PS5 gameplay required
Under Sony’s conditions, applicants must use a Sony account registered in Japan and have used PlayStation’s online services.
More importantly, the account must show at least 60 hours of combined gameplay on PS4 and PS5 between September 27, 2024, and September 27, 2026.
Applicants must also have their Sony account linked with their My Sony ID. These conditions must be satisfied before an application can be considered.
The requirement means that simply having a PlayStation account is not enough. Users who created an account but have little or no recorded gameplay during the specified period will not qualify for the purchase application.
PS5 Pro lottery application closes on October 7
Sony has set 11:59 p.m. on October 7, 2026, as the deadline for applications.
After applications close, Sony will verify whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements. If the number of eligible applicants is greater than the planned inventory, a lottery will be conducted. Results are scheduled to be communicated from around October 26.
Customers who are selected will receive instructions through the email address registered to their Sony account. Winners must then complete their purchase through a dedicated Sony Store page.
The purchase deadline for selected customers is 11:59 a.m. on November 2, 2026. Any units not purchased by the deadline can subsequently be offered through another lottery involving eligible applicants who were unsuccessful in the first round.
PS5 Pro priced at ¥137,980
The model included in the campaign is the PlayStation 5 Pro CFI-7100B01, which comes with a 2TB SSD.
Sony has listed the recommended retail price at ¥137,980, including tax. The console includes a DualSense wireless controller, HDMI cable, power cord and other standard accessories.
The PS5 Pro is Sony’s higher-performance version of the PlayStation 5. It features advanced ray tracing, higher image quality on compatible 4K displays and support for higher frame rates in games that have been enhanced for the console.
The console is a digital-only model out of the box and does not include a disc drive. Sony says a separately sold compatible disc drive can be added to the console for playing physical games and Blu-ray content.
Sale restricted to customers in Japan
Sony’s current purchase campaign is specifically for people residing in Japan. The company states that applications are limited to customers living in the country, and delivery is also restricted to addresses within Japan.
Each Sony account can be used to apply for one console. The winning purchase right cannot be transferred to another person.
Sony has also warned customers against applying with the intention of reselling the console. Applications, successful selections and purchases can be cancelled if the company determines that the stated conditions have not been met or that the purchase is intended for resale.
Why Sony is using a lottery system
The latest system provides Sony with a way to manage demand when applications exceed the available number of consoles. Rather than offering the PS5 Pro on a conventional first-come, first-served basis, the company is first checking whether applicants meet its eligibility criteria and then using a lottery if necessary.
The 60-hour gameplay requirement also means that applicants need an established PlayStation usage history rather than merely a newly created account.
Sony’s official terms do not describe the requirement as an anti-scalping measure, although the restrictions prevent some newly created or inactive accounts from participating. The company separately states that purchases made for resale are prohibited.
When will selected buyers receive the console?
Sony’s purchase application is scheduled to run until October 7. Successful applicants will be notified from around October 26 and must complete their purchases by November 2.
The company expects deliveries to take place from early to mid-November 2026, according to reporting on the campaign.
For customers who miss out in the initial lottery, Sony has indicated that units left unpurchased by selected customers may be allocated through a subsequent draw involving unsuccessful eligible applicants.
The campaign therefore gives existing PlayStation users another opportunity to purchase the PS5 Pro, but qualifying for the lottery does not guarantee a console. The final chance of purchase depends on the number of eligible applications and the stock available.