CDMX Achieves World's Largest Wave; How Did This Phenomenon Originate?

Mexico City achieved a new Guinness World Record on Saturday, June 6, for the "Largest World Wave," a massive human wave event held on Paseo de la Reforma. This spectacle served as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature matches in the capital.

The initiative, organized by the Government of CDMX, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Mixed Fund for Tourism Promotion, drew thousands of people to line the iconic avenue from the Angel of Independence roundabout to El Caballito. Representatives from Guinness World Records were present to oversee the event and validate the new world mark.

While the "Mexican wave" is internationally recognized and a symbol of fan enthusiasm in the country, its origins trace back to the United States. According to FIFA, the phenomenon was created by George Henderson, known as "Krazy George," an American who built a career as a crowd entertainer for various sports franchises. The first recognized wave occurred on October 15, 1981, during a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees in California.

Henderson, working for the Athletics at the time, conceived the idea of a 360-degree cheering movement at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The game was nationally televised, and despite initial difficulty in getting the stadium crowd to participate, the movement captured attention and began to be replicated across other sports in the U.S. Henderson reportedly brought his invention to soccer in 1982 and showcased it at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The wave became a global phenomenon thanks to Mexicans, who named it and propelled it to international fame during the 1986 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico. This recent event in Mexico City not only celebrated the iconic fan animation but also set a new benchmark for collective participation.