IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi will take place at Etihad Arena on January 22–23, featuring Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and other Bollywood stars. Tickets are on sale, and the awards will be livestreamed globally on YouTube for the first time.

ABU DHABI: IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi is officially set to bring Bollywood’s biggest stars back to Yas Island, with Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan among the headline performers announced for the two-day celebration.

The 27th International Indian Film Academy Weekend & Awards will take place at Etihad Arena on January 22 and 23, 2027. The announcement was made during a press conference in Mumbai on October 22, 2026.

Who will host and perform at IIFA 2027?

The main awards ceremony will be hosted by Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday.

Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi are confirmed to perform, bringing a major Bollywood line-up to the UAE capital.

The IIFA Digital Awards will feature Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee as hosts, with musical performances by Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan.

The announcement confirmed:

  • Hosts: Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday.
  • Performers: Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi.
  • Digital Awards: Hosted by Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee, with performances by Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan.
  • YouTube livestream: For the first time, IIFA will stream its awards ceremony globally on YouTube.
  • Tickets: IIFA Awards tickets are now on sale, with Digital Awards ticket sales scheduled to begin October 23, 2026.

When will IIFA 2027 tickets go on sale?

Tickets for IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi are already available through the official Etihad Arena website.

Tickets for the Digital Awards are scheduled to go on sale on October 23, 2026.

Fans can book through the official Etihad Arena ticket page.

IIFA announces first global YouTube livestream

One of the biggest announcements is IIFA’s partnership with YouTube, which will livestream the awards worldwide for the first time.

The collaboration will also introduce exclusive backstage content, creator collaborations, digital watch parties and additional programming for international audiences.

ZEE will continue as the official broadcasting partner, extending the awards’ television reach across more than 120 countries.

Why is IIFA returning to Abu Dhabi?

This marks IIFA’s fourth showcase on Yas Island, continuing its collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral.

The celebration will also continue its partnerships with Sobha Realty, while ORN joins as a co-powered sponsor.

Impact to expect

IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi could boost tourism, hospitality and entertainment spending as Bollywood fans travel to Yas Island. The global livestream may also increase Abu Dhabi’s visibility among international audiences and strengthen its reputation as a destination for major cultural events.