The 2001 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the 21st Southeast Asian Games, was a Southeast Asian multi-sport event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the fifth time that Malaysia plays as SEA Games hosts, the country previously held the event in 1965, 1971, 1977, and 1989, all of which were staged in Kuala Lumpur.

The National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a capacity of 87,411, it is the largest stadium in Southeast Asia, the fourth largest in Asia, and the fifteenth largest in the world.