South Africa fires up world’s biggest braai in bid for Guinness record

Loading the video No Comment Video. South Africa fires up world’s biggest braai in bid for Guinness record Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 25/09/2026 - 12:56 GMT+2 South Africa brought thousands of people together at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 24 September 2026 in a bid to reclaim the Guinness World Records title for the most people barbecuing simultaneously. Around 3,000 participants were expected for The World’s Biggest Braai, held on Heritage Day, with roughly 500 pre-lit stations prepared across the venue. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Participants cooked boerewors, the traditional South African coiled sausage, alongside burgers, steaks and lamb chops. To qualify, each person aged 13 or over had to remain at an allocated station and barbecue simultaneously for at least five consecutive minutes. Guinness officials were reviewing aerial footage, access records and stewards’ reports, with a decision expected on Friday. The target was 2,220 people, the record set in Ishigaki, Japan, in November 2023. South African organisers counted 2,412 participants during a 2025 attempt, but Guinness did not certify the result because competitors had not remained at their stations throughout the required period. This year, organisers tightened access, improved stewarding and introduced wristbands and designated cooking areas. The event also celebrated Heritage Day, observed nationwide each 24 September and informally known as Braai Day. The festival ran from 9am to 8pm with music, food stalls, family areas and a beer garden, while proceeds were intended to support the distribution of one million meals across South Africa on World Food Day. Performers included Shekhinah, Matthew Mole, Lady Zamar and Mafikizolo. South Africa Pretoria unusual Guinness World Records Culture Food Top stories Now playing Next South Africa fires up world’s biggest braai in bid for Guinness record Now playing Next France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwide Now playing Next Austria: Yodelling tradition goes underground in Graz Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 25th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Bikes removed, streets taped off as Paris welcomes Pope Leo XIV Now playing Next Netanyahu delivers fiery, defiant speech at UN General Assembly Now playing Next Saudis report fresh Houthi attacks as France offers military support Now playing Next EU will condemn war at G20 summit 'irrespective' of Putin's attendance Now playing Next Trump tells countries to quit ICC, EU defence chief speaks to Euronews Now playing Next Trump and Xi vow cooperation amid 'healthy competition' Now playing Next Ok computer: Would you call a sculpture created by an AI robot art? Now playing Next EU says US diesel export plan is 'bad idea' Now playing Next Rising fuel costs squeeze rural businesses in France Now playing Next Greenland has ‘enough minerals’ to attract all interested investors, Danish minister says Now playing Next Old video of Greek protests shared with claims country is 'paralysed' Now playing Next How AI and robots provide companionship for people with Alzheimer’s ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Protests and walkout as Netanyahu addresses the UN No Comment West Bank herders use donkeys and trenches to move milk at night No Comment Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc returns to San Francisco after 17 years No Comment Video shows UK fighter jet crashing during training Europe Today Xi-Trump meeting was about 'managing rivalry', expert says Europe in Motion Green electricity: Is Europe's renewable energy boom slowing down? Europe Today Europe Today: Trump's state dinner for Xi Jinping, Pope Leo's first visit to France USA Toasts, handshakes and smiles: Moments from Xi’s White House state dinner Europe News Macron denies CIA warned France of Russian drone attack USA Trump and Xi vow cooperation amid 'healthy competition' at the White House USA Uzbekistan highlights Central Asia cooperation at UN General Assembly Business Series How new rules could reshape this country’s digital economy ADVERTISEMENT Culture news Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and Oasis memorabilia up for auction in London Europe News Long queues as France’s €1 student meals draw crowds Economy Europe misses out on €120 billion in investment a year, report finds Art The Sound of Music: Austrian museum pays tribute to Von Trapp family and Hollywood musical Art Milan exhibition explores the enduring bond between Salvador Dalí and fashion No Comment People battle huge waves to save boat in Acapulco during Hurricane Polo Europe News EU vows to condemn Russia at G20 summit, regardless of Putin's attendance Denmark How are Danes reacting to the US-Greenland security deal? ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT