Abu Dhabi: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards will return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for its 2027 edition, with the two-day celebration scheduled for January 22 and 23 at the iconic Etihad Arena.
The 27th edition of IIFA will mark the fourth showcase of the global Indian cinema celebration in Abu Dhabi. The event will once again be presented in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, further strengthening the association between the emirate and the Indian entertainment industry.
The IIFA Awards 2027 will be hosted by filmmaker and television personality Karan Johar and actor Varun Dhawan. The event will feature performances by Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor.
Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan to perform
IIFA 2027 is expected to bring together prominent names from Indian cinema for two days of awards, music and live entertainment.
Salman Khan will return to the IIFA stage, while Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor will also headline the performance line-up.
Speaking about his return, Salman Khan said that his association with IIFA goes back to its early years and described the event as a celebration of Indian films, artists and audiences.
The actor also spoke about his connection with Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, saying that returning to the city for IIFA carries special memories for him.
“IIFA and I go back a long, long way,” Salman said, adding that he was looking forward to performing and celebrating Indian cinema with audiences at the 2027 edition.
Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal to host IIFA Digital Awards
The IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will have a separate hosting line-up, with actors Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal taking charge of the ceremony.
For Pankaj Tripathi, the event will mark his debut as an awards-show host. The actor said the opportunity was both exciting and humbling after spending much of his career portraying characters in front of the camera.
He also highlighted the changing digital entertainment landscape and said the recognition of new-generation storytelling through IIFA Digital was particularly meaningful.
The digital awards will add another dimension to the overall IIFA celebrations, recognising the growing influence of digital content and creators.
Abu Dhabi strengthens its association with IIFA
IIFA has been taking Indian cinema to international audiences for more than 26 years. Its return to Yas Island reflects the continuing partnership between IIFA and Abu Dhabi’s tourism and entertainment ecosystem.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said IIFA’s return reflected the longstanding relationship between Abu Dhabi and India and the emirate’s growing role as an international destination for entertainment and culture.
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events, Miral, said Yas Island had a special place in IIFA’s global journey and that the partnership continued to create experiences connecting audiences around the world.
Sobha Realty continues as a key partner
IIFA and Sobha Realty will continue their partnership into 2027, marking four years of collaboration.
Sobha Realty will serve as Presenting Sponsor of IIFA Weekend and IIFA Digital Awards. The partnership will also provide the company with a platform to highlight its presence in Abu Dhabi and connect with Indian cinema audiences internationally.
Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Sobha Realty, said the company’s association with IIFA reflected its focus on creativity, craftsmanship and experiences.
He also highlighted the expansion of the IIFA platform to include digital entertainment alongside cinema and live events.
ZEE to broadcast IIFA 2027
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited will continue as IIFA’s official Broadcasting Partner for the third consecutive year.
The partnership will connect audiences across markets with the IIFA celebrations and its coverage of Indian cinema.
Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said the broadcaster’s television and digital ecosystem would help extend IIFA’s reach and audience engagement.
IIFA announces YouTube partnership
In another major digital development, IIFA has announced a strategic partnership with YouTube for its 27th edition.
The IIFA Awards 2027 will be streamed live worldwide on YouTube, allowing viewers across markets to watch the ceremony online.
The partnership will extend beyond the live broadcast, with digital content planned around the awards, including celebrity conversations, creator-led storytelling and behind-the-scenes material.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India, YouTube, said Indian cinema has a borderless global fandom and described the collaboration as a significant moment for bringing IIFA’s celebration to YouTube’s worldwide audience.
IIFA aims for a larger global celebration
Andre Timmins, Founder/Director of The International Indian Film Academy Weekend & Awards, said the 2027 edition would seek to expand IIFA’s global reach while strengthening fan engagement.
With Abu Dhabi serving as the host destination and partnerships continuing with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Miral, Sobha Realty, ZEE and YouTube, IIFA 2027 is positioned as a multi-platform celebration of Indian cinema.
The event will take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, on January 22 and 23, 2027, bringing together film personalities, performers and audiences for the latest edition of the international awards celebration.