The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards return to Abu Dhabi in 2027, hosted by stars such as Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Shahid Kapoor. This ceremony, known as the largest Bollywood awards festival, will be held on January 22 and 23 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, marking the fourth time Abu Dhabi has hosted this event.
IIFA Awards Details
This edition will also include the IIFA Digital Awards, and for the first time, the main awards distribution will be broadcast live on YouTube. The IIFA Awards celebrate the best in Indian cinema, bringing together artists, directors, and musicians from the Indian entertainment industry. The awards began in 2000 in London and are held annually in various locations. Previous host cities have included Dubai, Bangkok, New York, and Amsterdam.
Read more: Emmy 2026 Awards; Steven Root and Nova Wylie Lead the Winners
Hosting and Side Events
Abu Dhabi has a history of hosting this event in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and is considered a sustainable home for this event. Andre Timmins, the founder and director of the IIFA Awards, expressed his satisfaction with returning to Yas Island, stating: "Abu Dhabi has welcomed IIFA and our film community with great warmth, and we have created iconic moments together."
The main awards ceremony will be hosted by Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, while Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal will host the IIFA Digital Awards. Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor have been confirmed as artists attending this event. Salman Khan, highlighting his deep connection with IIFA, mentioned that returning to Abu Dhabi holds special significance for him and noted that Yas Island has become a beautiful home for IIFA.
Tickets for this event are now on sale, starting from 100 dirhams. For those unable to attend, the awards can be watched live via YouTube. This collaboration will also include special content and interviews with celebrities.
Read more: Film Hanuman Ansh Reaches 3 Billion Rupees in Sales · Supercup Euroleague Held in Abu Dhabi with Major Basketball Teams
