The True King: Ranking The Top 10 Biggest Malls In The World In 2025 (It's Not Dubai Mall)

The title of "biggest mall in the world" is a fiercely contested crown, and as of today, December 18, 2025, the winner depends entirely on how you measure it. For years, The Dubai Mall was often cited as the largest, but a massive project in Tehran has definitively claimed the top spot when measured by its sheer total floor area. This article cuts through the confusion, revealing the undisputed world champion and ranking the global mega-malls that are transforming retail, entertainment, and urban development. The key distinction lies between Gross Leasable Area (GLA)—the actual space available for rent to shops and businesses—and Total Area—the entire floor space, including parking, cultural facilities, hotels, and non-retail attractions. The latest rankings show that while the familiar names still dominate the list, a new generation of mixed-use complexes, like the Iran Mall, are setting unprecedented records in overall size and scope.

The Undisputed King: Iran Mall's Profile and Record-Breaking Size

The title of the world's largest mall by total area belongs to the Iran Mall in Tehran, Iran. This monumental complex is less a traditional shopping center and more a vast cultural, recreational, and commercial hub, designed to be a destination unto itself. * Name: Iran Mall (Persian: ایران مال) * Location: Northwest Tehran, Iran * Opened: Initial phase opened in 2018 * Total Area: Approximately 21 million square feet (1.4–1.6 million m²) * Gross Leasable Area (GLA): Approximately 320,000 m² to 650,000 m² (varies by source/phase) * Key Features: The mall holds a Guinness World Record for the largest continuous concrete pouring. Its design blends traditional Iranian architecture with modern amenities. The sheer scale of the Iran Mall is what sets it apart. It’s a multi-purpose facility built on a concept that integrates trade, entertainment, and cultural identity. Its non-retail components are what push its total area far beyond any other competitor.

The Top 5 Biggest Malls in the World (By Total Area & GLA)

The ranking of the world's largest shopping centers is complex, but here is a curated list of the top contenders, focusing on the distinction between the two primary metrics: Total Area (the overall biggest) and Gross Leasable Area (the retail space).

1. Iran Mall (Tehran, Iran)

As mentioned, the Iran Mall is the largest overall structure. Its massive footprint includes a five-star hotel, six movie theaters, a hypermarket, a mosque, and an ice rink. Crucially, it houses the largest public library in the Middle East, a massive art gallery, and the breathtaking Didar Garden, a stunning indoor oasis. This cultural-commercial hybrid model secures its top spot.

2. The Dubai Mall (Dubai, UAE)

The Dubai Mall is arguably the world’s most famous and most visited shopping center, welcoming over 80 million people annually. While often cited as the largest, its Total Area of approximately 12 million square feet (1.12 million m²) is second to the Iran Mall. It is the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, located adjacent to the Burj Khalifa. Recent developments, including the Zabeel Extension, have added a significant new luxury district and further increased its overall size and appeal.

3. New Century Global Center (Chengdu, China)

This colossal structure is often ranked highly, sometimes even as the largest by total area, though it is primarily a mixed-use building that *contains* a mall. At over 18 million square feet (1.7 million m²) of total floor space, it is one of the world's largest single buildings. The retail component is vast, but the complex also features offices, conference centers, a 5-star hotel, and a massive indoor beach resort with a 5,000-car parking garage.

4. SM Tianjin (Tianjin, China)

Part of the massive SM Group from the Philippines, the SM Tianjin Mall boasts a substantial Gross Leasable Area, placing it among the top five by retail space. Its design is based on the concept of a "six-pointed star" and focuses heavily on experiential retail, making it a major hub in Northern China's booming consumer market.

5. IOI City Mall (Putrajaya, Malaysia)

IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Malaysia, has rapidly risen in the rankings due to its recent expansions. It is frequently listed as having one of the largest GLAs in Southeast Asia. The mall is known for its extensive entertainment offerings, including an Olympic-sized ice rink and a massive indoor adventure park, solidifying its status as a premier regional destination.

More Than Shopping: Mega-Mall Attractions and Economic Impact

The modern mega-mall is no longer just a collection of retail outlets; it is a self-contained city, a tourism magnet, and a major economic driver. The world's largest malls are defined by their unique, non-retail attractions, which draw in millions of visitors who might otherwise shop online.

The Power of Experiential Retail

The top malls are masters of experiential retail, offering attractions that cannot be replicated on an e-commerce platform. * The Dubai Mall features the famous Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, the Dubai Ice Rink (Olympic-sized), and a gateway to the spectacular Dubai Fountain show. * SM Mall of Asia in the Philippines, another giant, includes an Olympic-size ice skating rink, a science center, and a multi-plex with an IMAX theater, making it a complete leisure destination. * West Edmonton Mall in Canada, a long-time former record holder for the largest mall, still boasts an indoor amusement park (Galaxyland), a water park (World Waterpark), and a full-size ice rink, cementing its place as North America's largest.

The Curious Case of the Ghost Mall

No discussion of the world’s largest malls is complete without mentioning the South China Mall (formerly New South China Mall) in Dongguan, China. Despite having a massive Gross Leasable Area, it gained notoriety as the world's most emblematic "ghost mall" after its 2004 opening due to its location and lack of tenants. While it has seen some revitalization, its history serves as a stark reminder that size alone does not guarantee commercial success.

The Future of Retail Giants

The trend is clear: future mega-malls will continue to blur the lines between retail, culture, and entertainment. Projects like the Iran Mall, with its libraries, gardens, and cultural centers, demonstrate a shift toward creating massive, integrated urban complexes. These developments serve not just as places to shop, but as significant public spaces and major global tourist attractions, ensuring the relevance of physical retail in a digital age. The biggest mall in the world is now defined by its ability to offer a complete, city-like experience, not just its store count.