Thousands gathered in Pretoria on Heritage Day to attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous cookout, aiming to beat the mark of 2,220 people set in Japan. Participants were positioned around roughly 500 grills, with organizers expecting about 3,000 attendees. A Guinness adjudicator said everyone had to barbecue at the same time for at least five minutes to count, and officials were reviewing footage to confirm the result.
Thousands Fill Pretoria Stadium in Bid to Break World 'Braai' Cookout Record
Participants grill meat during an attempt to break a world record for the most people cooking simultaneously at a barbecue at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
Pretoria, South Africa — Armed with tongs, coiled sausages and plenty of appetite, thousands of South Africans gathered on the national Heritage Day holiday to attempt to set a new world record for the largest simultaneous cookout.
Participants attempt to break a world record for the most people cooking simultaneously at a barbecue at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
Organizers said participants filled a sports stadium around roughly 500 grilling stations, with about 3,000 people expected to take part. The mark to beat was 2,220 people barbecuing at once — a record set in Ishigaki City, Japan, in 2023.
Participants cook during an attempt to break a world record for the most people cooking simultaneously at a barbecue at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
Strict rules governed the attempt. A Guinness World Records adjudicator, Paulina Sapinska, said every participant had to be actively barbecuing at the same time for a minimum of five minutes to be counted. "And if anyone leaves, they do get disqualified," Sapinska said as she monitored the sea of sausages, burgers and steaks while holding an official clipboard.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Paulina Sapinska, right, monitors an attempt to break a world record for the most people cooking simultaneously at a barbecue at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
Outdoor grilling is a beloved South African tradition known as a "braai." One of the most popular items is boerewors — a thick, coiled sausage whose name translates as "farmer's sausage." For the record attempt there were also burgers, steaks and chops sizzling on the grills.
Participants help themselves to food during an attempt to break a world record for the most people cooking simultaneously at a barbecue at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)(AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
Heritage Day and 'Braai Day'
The mass cookout took place on Heritage Day, a national holiday encouraging South Africans to celebrate their diverse cultural backgrounds. The day has informally become known as "Braai Day" because grilling is a shared way many people across the country mark the occasion.
Participant Alex Coetzee, who said he took part in a previous 2025 attempt that fell short when too many people left their grilling stations, expressed confidence: "It's gonna be better (this time). We're actually gonna break the world record now. South Africans have the record and that's the most important part."
Officials, including Sapinska, said they were reviewing footage and other evidence after the attempt. A final decision on whether a new world cookout champion was crowned was expected once all materials had been verified.
Why it matters: The attempt showcased a unifying national pastime, combined community spirit with a light-hearted bid for international recognition, and highlighted the cultural significance of the braai in South African life.
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