Thousands of South Africans Gather for a Massive Barbecue World Record Attempt

Thousands of South Africans gathered at a stadium in Pretoria to take part in an unusual world record attempt: getting as many people as possible to barbecue at the same time.

The event took place on Heritage Day, a national holiday in South Africa, with participants filling hundreds of grilling stations at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Organizers expected around 3,000 people to take part, hoping to beat the existing record of 2,220 people grilling simultaneously. That record was set in Ishigaki City, Japan, in 2023.

A Strict Five-Minute Challenge

The attempt was monitored by Guinness World Records officials, who had strict rules for participants.

Everyone taking part had to barbecue at the same time for at least five minutes. Anyone who left their station during the official attempt could be disqualified.

Participants cooked a variety of food, including sausages, burgers, steaks and chops. One of the most popular choices was boerewors, a traditional South African sausage commonly prepared at a braai.

A Tradition Shared by Communities

Barbecuing outdoors, known locally as a braai, is a popular part of South African social life. Families and friends often gather around a fire to cook, eat and spend time together.

The large-scale event brought that tradition into a stadium, where thousands of people gathered around their individual cooking stations.

Some participants had also taken part in an unsuccessful attempt the previous year. They returned in 2026 hoping to finally break the record.

Waiting for the Official Result

The final result was not immediately confirmed during the event. Guinness World Records officials said they needed to review the evidence before deciding whether the attempt had set a new record.

Regardless of the final result, the gathering turned an ordinary barbecue tradition into a huge community event, bringing thousands of people together around food, music and a shared challenge.

For the participants, the day was about more than chasing a number. It was also an opportunity to celebrate a familiar part of South African culture on a national holiday.

Sources

• Associated Press — “Fire up the grills! Thousands of South Africans try to set a record for the biggest cookout”
• NPR — “Thousands of people gather for a South African barbecue, aiming to set a world record”