Dates, Hosts, Performers and How to Book Tickets
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards is heading back to Abu Dhabi. At a press conference in Mumbai on 22 October 2026, organisers confirmed that the 27th edition will take place on 22 and 23 January 2027 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. It will be IIFA’s fourth time in the emirate.
Next year’s edition brings back the IIFA Digital Awards and, for the first time, a global livestream on YouTube. Here is what we know so far.
Who Is Hosting IIFA Awards 2027?
Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday will share hosting duties for the main IIFA Awards night. That is four very different personalities on one stage, so expect plenty of banter between the trophies.
IIFA 2027 Performers
Salman Khan heads the performance line-up, joined by Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi.
IIFA Digital Awards 2027: Hosts and Music
The Digital Awards will run separately and celebrate streaming and online content. Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee have been named as hosts, while Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan will provide the music.
Why Abu Dhabi Keeps Bringing IIFA Back
IIFA continues to work with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the company behind Yas Island’s major attractions. For the emirate, hosting the event is part of a wider push to become a leading destination for culture and entertainment.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said IIFA’s return “reflects the strength of our longstanding relationship with India and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing profile as a leading global destination for entertainment and culture.”
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events at Miral, said Yas Island “holds a special place in IIFA’s global journey,” adding that events of this size help build the island’s reputation as an international leisure destination.
IIFA founder and director Andre Timmins was even more direct. “Abu Dhabi has become our home away from home,” he said, “a destination that has welcomed Indian cinema, our stars and audiences with tremendous warmth and pride.”
Sponsors and Broadcast Partners
Sobha Realty returns for a fourth year as title sponsor of IIFA Weekend and co-presenting sponsor of the IIFA Awards, and will use the platform to promote Sobha City Abu Dhabi. Ashish Parakh, the company’s Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, linked the partnership to Sobha’s “Art of Detail” philosophy and said the addition of IIFA Digital shows how entertainment now spans “cinema, live experiences and digital storytelling.” ORN has also signed on as a co-powered-by sponsor.
On television, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited stays on as official broadcast partner for a third straight year. Sandeep Mehrotra, ZEE’s Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue, said the tie-up is about taking Indian cinema’s “rich storytelling legacy to audiences across the globe.”
IIFA 2027 on YouTube: First Global Livestream
The biggest change this year is online. YouTube is IIFA’s official streaming partner, and the awards will stream worldwide on the platform alongside the TV broadcast. That is a first for the event.
Beyond the ceremony, YouTube will run content throughout IIFA Week, including on-demand videos, Shorts and backstage footage. A YouTube Creator Collective will bring digital creators into the venue to work with Bollywood stars, and there will also be IIFA Uncut, digital watch parties, a Greenroom series and an IIFA YouTube Creator Club. Programming will launch in Hindi and English.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India at YouTube, described the platform as the place “where the legendary scale of Indian cinema meets the limitless creativity of our creator community.”
How to Book IIFA 2027 Tickets
- Dates: 22–23 January 2027
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- IIFA Awards tickets: on sale now via the official Etihad Arena booking page
- IIFA Digital Awards tickets: on sale from Friday, 23 October 2026
IIFA 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
When is IIFA 2027?
IIFA 2027 takes place on 22 and 23 January 2027.
Where is IIFA 2027 being held?
At Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Who are the hosts of IIFA Awards 2027?
Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday.
Can I watch IIFA 2027 online?
Yes. For the first time, the IIFA Awards will livestream globally on YouTube, alongside the ZEE broadcast.
Who is performing at IIFA 2027?
Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi at the main awards, with Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan at the Digital Awards.
Details are based on the official announcement of 22 October 2026 and may change.
