IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi will bring Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor to Yas Island in January.
ABU DHABI: IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi has revealed its hosts and performers ahead of the 27th International Indian Film Academy Weekend & Awards, which will take over Etihad Arena on Yas Island on January 22 and 23, 2027. Tickets are now on sale for the two-day celebration of Indian cinema and digital entertainment.
The main IIFA Awards will be hosted by Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, while Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor are confirmed to perform. The IIFA Digital Awards will have Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal as hosts, with Tripathi making his awards-show hosting debut.
The 2027 event marks IIFA’s fourth showcase on Yas Island, continuing its partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral. Etihad Arena will once again serve as the centre of the celebrations, bringing stars and fans together for two nights of performances and awards.
Salman Khan said his long association with IIFA and connection with Abu Dhabi make his return particularly meaningful. “Yas Island has become a beautiful home for IIFA,” he said while discussing his return to the stage.
One of the biggest changes for IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi will happen beyond the arena. IIFA has partnered with YouTube for what organisers describe as its first worldwide live stream on the platform, making the main awards ceremony accessible to an international digital audience.
The collaboration will extend beyond the live ceremony, with celebrity conversations, creator-led content and behind-the-scenes material planned around the event. ZEE will also continue as IIFA’s official broadcasting partner for a third consecutive year.
IIFA and Sobha Realty have meanwhile extended their partnership into 2027, marking four years of collaboration. Sobha Realty will remain associated with IIFA Weekend and the IIFA Digital Awards as the company expands its presence in Abu Dhabi.
For the UAE capital, IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi adds another major international entertainment event to Yas Island’s calendar while reinforcing its links with Indian cinema and audiences.
Tickets for the January 22 and 23 events are available through the Etihad Arena ticketing platform.
Impact to expect
The return of IIFA could boost entertainment tourism and international attention for Abu Dhabi, while the worldwide YouTube livestream significantly expands the event’s potential reach beyond audiences attending at Etihad Arena.
