ABU DHABI, UAE / MUMBAI, INDIA, October 22, 2026: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards will return to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027, with Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi among the performers announced for its 27th edition.
Swati Bhat
Hosts, Performers and Digital Awards Complete the Line-up
The 2027 edition will combine the main awards ceremony with the IIFA Digital Awards, bringing film talent and digital entertainment personalities into the same event programme.
The main awards 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 among the announced performers.
Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee will host the IIFA Digital Awards, with Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan set to perform.
Andre Timmins, Founder/Director of IIFA Weekend & Awards, said the return to Abu Dhabi was particularly meaningful after years of collaboration with the destination. He also described the 2027 edition as an opportunity to bring cinema, culture, technology and fans together through an expanded global experience.
Abu Dhabi and Yas Island Continue Their IIFA Association
IIFA's return builds on its ongoing relationship with Abu Dhabi's tourism and entertainment ecosystem. According to the announcement, the partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral will continue for the 2027 edition.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said IIFA's return reflects the longstanding relationship between Abu Dhabi and India, while reinforcing the emirate's ambitions as a destination for international entertainment and culture.
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events at Miral, said Yas Island's association with IIFA is rooted in a shared interest in creativity and storytelling. She added that events of this scale support Yas Island's positioning as a global leisure and entertainment destination and contribute to Abu Dhabi's appeal for cultural tourism. The collaboration brings Indian cinema into a destination strategy built around entertainment experiences and international visitor engagement, although the announcement does not disclose the financial terms of the partnership.
Sobha Realty Extends Its IIFA Partnership into 2027
Sobha Realty will continue its association with IIFA in 2027, marking four years of collaboration, according to the announcement. The real estate company is identified as the Title sponsor of IIFA 2027, with the partnership expected to provide a platform for the brand to connect with audiences interested in Indian cinema and entertainment.
The announcement also references Sobha City Abu Dhabi as part of the company's wider brand positioning in the emirate. Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Sobha Realty, described IIFA as a platform connecting artists, audiences and communities across countries. He said the inclusion of IIFA Digital reflects the evolution of entertainment across cinema, live experiences and digital storytelling, themes that he linked to the company's philosophy of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
ORN.com Joins as Co-Powered By Sponsor
ORN.com has been announced as a Co-Powered By sponsor for IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027. The announcement positions the partnership around the company's association with IIFA's international reach and the visibility offered by a global Indian entertainment event.
ZEE Continues as Broadcasting Partner
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) will return as IIFA's broadcasting partner, continuing its association with the awards for a third consecutive year, according to Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue at ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited. Mr.Mehrotra said the partnership supports the company's aim of taking Indian cinema to audiences worldwide while creating opportunities for advertisers and industry partners. He also referred to ZEE's content ecosystem, broadcast and digital presence, and technology capabilities as part of its strategy to deepen consumer engagement. The announcement states that ZEE's distribution network reaches audiences in more than 120 countries.
YouTube Partnership Targets a Global Digital Audience
One of the headline developments for IIFA 2027 is its announced partnership with YouTube as the official streaming partner. The organisers say the IIFA Awards will be streamed worldwide on YouTube alongside the broadcast, marking what the announcement describes as a first for an event of IIFA's scale and legacy.
The proposed digital offering extends beyond the main awards ceremony. It includes video-on-demand programming, YouTube Shorts, backstage access, creator collaborations, digital watch parties and a Greenroom content series under the IIFA Uncut concept. The announcement also refers to an on-ground YouTube Creator Collective and the IIFA YouTube Creator Club. The event programming is expected to be presented in multiple languages, beginning with Hindi and English.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director India at YouTube, said the partnership would connect Indian cinema with the platform's creator community and global audiences, while expanding access to behind-the-scenes material and other digital storytelling.
The arrangement could provide IIFA with additional ways to reach audiences beyond conventional event viewing.
IIFA 2027 Tickets and Dates
Tickets for IIFA Awards 2027 are listed through the official Etihad Arena booking page. The press release states that digital awards ticket sales are scheduled to begin on October 23, 2026.
Event: IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027
Dates: January 22–23, 2027
Venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Main awards hosts: Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday
Official ticket page: