Shopping malls are no longer just places to buy products. The world’s largest malls have become massive lifestyle destinations that combine retail, entertainment, dining, culture, and leisure under one roof. This article looks at the largest malls in the world ranked by gross leasable area, a key indicator of how much commercial space a mall offers. These mega malls reflect urban growth, consumer demand, and large-scale investment across different regions. From the Middle East to Southeast Asia, the biggest malls highlight how shopping culture has evolved into an experience-driven global industry.
Modern malls play a major role in city economies. They generate employment, attract tourism, and often serve as landmarks that define their regions. By comparing the largest malls globally, readers can better understand where large-scale retail development is concentrated and how different countries approach commercial real estate. This ranking focuses strictly on size, offering a clear and objective view of retail scale worldwide.
Large malls are usually measured by gross leasable area, which represents the total floor space available for rent to retailers and commercial tenants. This metric allows fair comparison across countries, regardless of architectural design or number of floors. Over time, mall development has shifted toward integrated destinations that include cinemas, amusement parks, hotels, offices, and public spaces. Asia and the Middle East dominate the rankings due to rapid urbanization, large populations, and strong consumer markets, while established malls in North America and Europe continue to hold their positions through expansion and modernization.
Top 10 Largest Malls in the World 2026
- Iran Mall: 1,950,000 sq m
- South China Mall: 659,612 sq m
- SM Mall of Asia: 589,891 sq m
- SM City Tianjin: 565,000 sq m
- Golden Resources Mall: 557,419 sq m
- CentralWorld: 550,000 sq m
- ICONSIAM: 525,000 sq m
- Dubai Mall: 502,000 sq m
- West Edmonton Mall: 490,000 sq m
- SM Seaside City Cebu: 470,486 sq m
The Top 10 list clearly shows one dominant leader and a closely packed group of mega malls competing below it. Iran Mall stands far ahead of all others, with a gross leasable area several times larger than most competitors. After the top spot, the remaining malls fall within a narrower range, showing intense competition among Asia-based retail developments. China, the Philippines, Thailand, and the Middle East appear strongly, reflecting large consumer bases and investment-driven expansion. Established malls like Dubai Mall and West Edmonton Mall remain highly competitive, proving that continuous upgrades help older malls maintain global relevance despite newer developments elsewhere.
Full Data Table
| # | Mall | Gross leasable area (sq m) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Mall | 1,950,000 | Iran |
| 2 | South China Mall | 659,612 | China |
| 3 | SM Mall of Asia | 589,891 | Philippines |
| 4 | SM City Tianjin | 565,000 | China |
| 5 | Golden Resources Mall | 557,419 | China |
| 6 | CentralWorld | 550,000 | Thailand |
| 7 | ICONSIAM | 525,000 | Thailand |
| 8 | Dubai Mall | 502,000 | UAE |
| 9 | West Edmonton Mall | 490,000 | Canada |
| 10 | SM Seaside City Cebu | 470,486 | Philippines |
| 11 | SM City North EDSA | 497,000 | Philippines |
| 12 | SM Megamall | 474,000 | Philippines |
| 13 | New South China Mall | 450,000 | China |
| 14 | Isfahan City Center | 465,000 | Iran |
| 15 | Berjaya Times Square | 320,000 | Malaysia |
| 16 | IOI City Mall | 350,000 | Malaysia |
| 17 | Mid Valley Megamall | 350,000 | Malaysia |
| 18 | Pavilion Kuala Lumpur | 372,000 | Malaysia |
| 19 | Siam Paragon | 400,000 | Thailand |
| 20 | Cevahir Mall | 420,000 | Turkey |
Key Points
- Iran Mall is significantly larger than all other malls, making it a clear global outlier in scale.
- Asia dominates the ranking, especially East and Southeast Asia, with multiple malls in the top positions.
- The Philippines stands out with several large malls, reflecting a strong mall-centered retail culture.
- Middle Eastern malls focus on luxury, tourism, and experiential retail to compete globally.
- Differences between ranks two to ten are relatively small compared to the gap with the top-ranked mall.
- Long-established malls remain competitive by expanding and diversifying beyond traditional retail.
- Large malls increasingly function as mixed-use destinations rather than simple shopping centers.
The largest malls in the world represent more than retail space alone. They reflect economic confidence, urban ambition, and changing consumer behavior across regions. As cities continue to grow and lifestyles evolve, mega malls are likely to expand their role as social and entertainment hubs. Future developments may focus less on pure size and more on experience, sustainability, and integration with surrounding urban areas. Even so, rankings by gross leasable area will remain an important way to compare scale and ambition in global retail development, offering insight into where the world’s biggest commercial spaces continue to take shape.
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