Bollywood’s Biggest Stars Return to Yas Island for Two-Day IIFA Celebration.
Abu Dhabi is preparing for another star-studded Bollywood celebration as the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards returns to Yas Island.
The 27th edition of IIFA will take place at Etihad Arena on January 22 and 23, 2027, bringing two days of Bollywood glamour, live performances, digital entertainment and some of Indian cinema’s biggest names to the capital.
Tickets for IIFA 2027 are now on sale globally, with the upcoming event marking the fourth time the awards weekend will be held in Abu Dhabi.
Tickets are available through Platinumlist.
Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan to host IIFA Awards 2027
Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan will take centre stage as hosts of the IIFA Awards 2027, leading the main awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
The performance line-up is just as star-studded, with Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor set to perform during the IIFA weekend.
The IIFA Digital Awards will feature a different hosting pair, with Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal taking charge of the ceremony. The 2027 edition will mark Tripathi’s first time hosting an awards show.
“For an actor, there are certain moments that come with a little extra nervousness and a lot of excitement and hosting the IIFA Digital Awards for the first time is definitely one of them,” Tripathi said.
He added that stepping from acting into hosting would offer a new experience, particularly at a time when the digital entertainment landscape continues to reshape how audiences discover and engage with stories.
Salman Khan returns to the IIFA stage
Salman Khan is also set to return to the IIFA stage, bringing his signature star power to the Abu Dhabi celebrations as part of the event’s performance line-up.
Khan said he has been associated with IIFA since its early years, adding that returning to Abu Dhabi for the 2027 edition carries special significance for him.
“IIFA and I go back a long, long way,” Khan said, describing the event as a celebration of films, artists and the audiences who have supported Indian cinema over the years.
The actor also spoke about his connection with Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, saying he was looking forward to returning to the stage, entertaining fans and celebrating Indian cinema with audiences once again.
IIFA returns to Yas Island for its fourth Abu Dhabi edition
Abu Dhabi has become a familiar destination for IIFA, with the 2027 event marking the fourth time the awards weekend will be staged in the UAE capital.
The 2027 edition will mark IIFA’s fourth showcase on Yas Island, continuing the event’s partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral.
The two-day celebration will once again take place at Etihad Arena, bringing together Indian cinema stars and fans for a packed programme of live entertainment and awards.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said IIFA’s return reflects the longstanding relationship between Abu Dhabi and India, while also showcasing the emirate’s expanding entertainment and cultural offerings.
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events at Miral, said Yas Island has become an important part of IIFA’s global journey, as the destination prepares to welcome the event for the fourth time.
IIFA 2027 to stream live globally on YouTube
One of the biggest changes for IIFA 2027 will take place beyond Etihad Arena, with the awards set to reach a much wider international audience.
For the first time, the IIFA Awards will be streamed live worldwide on YouTube, allowing fans who cannot attend the event in Abu Dhabi to watch the celebrations as they happen.
The partnership will extend beyond the main awards ceremony, with celebrity conversations, creator-led content and behind-the-scenes coverage planned around the event.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director of YouTube India, said the partnership will bring together the global fanbase of Indian cinema with YouTube’s wider creator and video ecosystem.
The expanded digital coverage means IIFA 2027 will extend beyond the awards ceremony itself, giving audiences the opportunity to follow exclusive content before, during and after the main event.
Two days of Indian cinema, live entertainment and star power
With Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan hosting the main IIFA Awards, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal leading the Digital Awards, and Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor scheduled to perform, IIFA 2027 is set to bring a packed line-up of Indian cinema and entertainment to Abu Dhabi.
The 27th IIFA Weekend & Awards will take place on January 22 and 23, 2027, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
With tickets now on sale and the awards set to be streamed live worldwide on YouTube for the first time, fans will also be able to join the celebrations from outside the arena.
