QR code drone show to welcome Fifa World Cup trophy to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fifa World Cup trophy will be in Malaysia on Jan 21.

And to best promote the historic event, a first-of-its-kind drone show will be held on Jan 18 and Jan 20 at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The display by 33.3 Studio, to be held at 8.30pm on both days, will introduce a new interactive element by forming a scannable QR code in the sky at night, allowing spectators to know more about the World Cup trophy tour via their mobile phones.

“We have all seen fireworks, projections, and live performances. The question now is how we can use the sky as a canvas to create imagery that communicates culture, stories, and even branding,” said Edwin Raj, co-founder of 33.3 Studio.

“One new element we are introducing in Malaysia is a QR code in the sky. If all goes well, this will allow audiences not only to watch and share but also to engage directly.

“They can scan the code to make purchases, visit a website, or complete a Google form. This opens up many new possibilities for audience interaction during global sporting events, tourism initiatives, and brand-led activations.”

33.3 Studio has been involved in several drone shows including the Hari Merdeka celebrations at Dataran Merdeka (main image) in Kuala Lumpur and several events in Johor Bahru and Kuantan.

Edwin said the entire production is being developed and executed by Malaysians, reflecting the country’s growing strength in creative technology and experiential design.

For the show, Edwin stated that safety is his company’s top priority, and they are working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.

“The authorities are very clear about their requirements. They need to know the flight height, the scale, and most importantly, the location of the audience. The larger the number of drones, the further the show must be from the crowd for safety reasons. Malaysia is extremely stringent when it comes to drone safety,” he said.

“From our experience, especially during rehearsals, we have learned to prioritise safety above all else.”

The Fifa World Cup Trophy Tour at Sunway Pyramid on Jan 21 will also feature five-a-side football matches, and a concert featuring local artists.

Separately, Edwin and his team will also organise a drone show during the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves in Gombak, Selangor on Feb 1.

“Thaipusam is a unique, annual celebration in Malaysia. Over the past few years, Batu Caves has become not only a cultural and religious focal point but also a major attraction,” said Edwin.

“The question is: what new elements can be introduced? From a technological perspective, how can we make it more exciting, enticing, and engaging?

“In many temples in India and other countries, technology is already being infused into celebrations. For example, projection mapping and light shows are commonly used; in India, drone shows are also part of major festivals.”

Edwin noted that his company will not display images of deities in the sky, as this is not permitted.

“However, we can incorporate symbolic elements such as the kavadi, the vel (spear) held by Lord Murugan. We can also include messages such as ‘Happy Thaipusam 2026’ and ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’,” said Edwin.

“We are in discussions with Tourism Malaysia to see if they can support the project with a small grant, as this is not a commercial initiative.

“The intention is to do something different for Thaipusam. We have already secured clearance for Batu Caves and are now working on the final approvals. The show will consist of approximately five to six frames in the sky.”