South African fast-food chain Chicken Licken is backing a bold attempt to claim the Guinness World Records title for the world’s largest rubber band ball — and the target is the 5,251.69 kg monster built by a Detroit man earlier this year.
The challenge has seen South African comedian, actor and voice artist Tyson Ngubeni spend weeks training, building and rallying South Africans to contribute one rubber band at a time. The attempt will culminate in a live weigh-in in early December, where Guinness World Records adjudicators will decide whether the Chicken Licken ball can beat the current record.
The record to beat
The current record holder is Claude P. Moore of Detroit, whose 11,578-pound (5,251.69 kg) rubber band ball was certified by Guinness World Records after being weighed on August 29, 2026, at Belle Isle in Detroit. Moore surpassed the previous mark of 9,032 pounds (4,097 kg) set by Florida’s Joel Waul in 2008.
Moore’s ball took 11 years to build, according to Guinness. Chicken Licken’s attempt is moving rather faster, with a nationwide call for South Africans to drop rubber bands into competition boxes at stores.
A R100,000 sweetener
Chicken Licken is also giving South Africans the chance to win R100,000 in cash. Running from November 1 to 30, 2026, the competition requires customers to purchase a Chicken Licken meal in store, then drop their till slip and rubber bands into the competition box.
Whether a fast-food-fuelled ball can beat an 11-year labour of love remains to be seen. The weigh-in in early December will give the answer — and South Africa will be watching the scales.
Related reading: Detroit Largest Rubber Band Ball World Record 11,578 Pounds and Bhutan Sets Guinness Record With 108 Stupas in Nine Hours
