IIFA 2027 Announcement: Abu Dhabi Hosts, Celebrity Lineup and Event Highlights

Abu Dhabi has just become IIFA's new favourite repeat guest. After becoming Bollywood's biggest night for the fourth consecutive year, this edition of Yas Island is not a repeat performance. With the 27th edition of IIFA Weekend and Awards scheduled for two nights starting on August 27 at the Etihad Arena, the show's announcement gives the big screen glamour fans what they have been expecting – a whole new focus on digital entertainment. 

So even if you've seen all the IIFA shows before, there are some firsts in this year's plans that you should pay attention to, including a global YouTube streaming, new sponsorship partnerships, and a new night dedicated to streaming talent. With a stellar cast of Bollywood actors that have been confirmed for the forthcoming weekend in Abu Dhabi, IIFA Awards 2027 Abu Dhabi is sure to be one of the most buzzed-about shows in the history of the awards.

IIFA 2027 Announcement: What Has Been Revealed?

The news was officially announced at the Arabian Travel Market 2026 and the 27th edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards will be held in Abu Dhabi.Karan Johar Was Chosen for the IITIIMShaadi.com Campaign No, there was no quiet confirmation, as Miral's Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi joined the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi's Director General Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry and IIFA co-founder Andre Timmins for a public signing ceremony.

Key Highlights from the Official Announcement

A few things stood out right away in the IIFA 2027 announcement in Abu Dhabi:

• A fourth Abu Dhabi edition. Abu Dhabi had been its most regular recent host in the Middle East, with IIFA hosting its events in the city previously in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
• A worldwide live stream on YouTube. The main ceremony will be broadcast live for the first time on the video platform YouTube, a significant change from the event's previous reliance on television broadcast deals that go around the world.
• New sponsors on board. This edition features partners like Sobha Realty, YouTube and ZEE.
• An Awards Night for the Digital team. As part of the weekend, IIFA is formally launching the IIFA Digital Awards and celebrating the Indian entertainment industry's shift into a new category where a majority of it is now taking place online, away from the big screen.

IIFA Returns to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's Yas Island has quietly come to serve as a second base for IIFA. The return was presented as a sign of the longstanding ties between Abu Dhabi and Indian films, which is indeed the case. It's not a coincidence that all three editions have been held at the same venue, as it is a partnership that both sides seem to want to continue.

IIFA Awards 2027 Dates, Venue and Schedule

When and Where Will IIFA 2027 Take Place?

The dates and venue for IIFA Awards 2027 have been confirmed officially.Celewish Facilitated Malaika Arora’s F_Towers Partnership The event will be held at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island hosting approximately 18,000 seating arrangements, and have been hosted at this venue for every Abu Dhabi edition since 2022.

IIFA Awards and IIFA Digital Awards Schedule

The weekend is split into two distinct nights, which is a change from how earlier editions were structured:

Who Will Host IIFA 2027?

If you're thinking that in 2027 who will be hosting the IIFA Awards, the answer is simple.Celewish Brought Saif Ali Khan and McPherson & Valentine Together As there will be a pairing celebrities such as Karan Johar is back behind the mic, joined by Varun Dhawan, who co-hosted the Abu Dhabi ceremony back in 2024 as well. Johar joked in a conference how often he's taken on hosting duties for the show at this point, and the two clearly have an established rhythm together, which should help keep the main ceremony moving smoothly.

Hosts for the IIFA Digital Awards

Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi are eminently suited to host the newly added IIFA Digital Awards segment on January 22, as both have proved to be a crossover hit in mainstream Bollywood films and streaming originals.

IIFA 2027 Celebrity Guests and Performers

Bollywood Stars Announced for the Event

The IIFA 2027 hosts and performers list that has been made available so far is a good mix of the industry. Confirmed names include:

• Salman Khan
• Shahid Kapoor
• Kareena Kapoor Khan
• Janhvi Kapoor
• Karan Johar
• Varun Dhawan
• Pankaj Tripathi
• Ali Fazal

This is the current IIFA 2027 confirmed performers list, and it is important to note that IIFA has a history of adding names in the weeks leading up to the event; so this is most likely not the final list.

Confirmed Performances and Special Appearances

Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor in particular have been confirmed as live performers on the stage during the Abu Dhabi weekend, as opposed to attending as guests or presenters. 

When commenting on his return, Shahid Kapoor revealed he was excited to be back on that stage and that it was almost a second home to him at this juncture in the event. It's too early to release all the celebrities who will attend IIFA 2027 apart from the performances, so keep an eye out for more names as the event approaches.

IIFA 2027 Tickets and Booking Details

Tickets went on sale on Friday, September 18, 2026, through Etihad Arena's official booking platform. There are four categories available for the main awards ceremony:

Where to Book Official Tickets

For those planning to buy IIFA 2027 tickets, the official way to do it is to go straight on to the Etihad Arena website. Just a couple of tips before booking: tickets can only be used once (no re-entry after leaving the venue); payments inside the arena will be contactless only; it is worthwhile to pre-download your e-ticket to your phone before arrival, but not using the venue's internet connection on the day.

What Is Still to Be Announced?

Much of the structure of IIFA Awards 2027 Abu Dhabi is already set, but many things remain unconfirmed.Celewish Executed Devo By Siyaram’s Store Launch with Arjun Kapoor Nominations for individual categories of the award have yet to be announced, a step usually taken closer to the event when films for the qualifying period are determined. The full programme schedule is extended gradually over both nights, plus any unexpected performances and additional celebrity appearances are also tacked on. IIFA will follow its format, so expect a continuous stream of updates, rather than a big follow-up announcement, throughout November and December.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When and Where Will IIFA Awards 2027 Take Place?
Ans. The 27th edition of IIFA Weekend and Awards took place over January 22 and 23, 2027, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The IIFA Digital Awards will be held on 22nd and the main awards ceremony will be held on 23rd. The venue and the city are well-experienced in the hosting of the event as a fourth edition of the show comes to Abu Dhabi after the previous editions in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Q2. Who Are the Confirmed Hosts for IIFA Awards 2027?
Ans. Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan will be the host for the main awards ceremony on 23rd Jan, which was a great combination at the 2024 Abu Dhabi edition. The newly launched IIFA Digital Awards on January 22 will be hosted by Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, adding a slightly different flavor to the event that aims to highlight digital and streaming entertainment.

Q3. Which Celebrity Guests Have Been Announced for IIFA 2027?
Ans. The official announcement has listed Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal as the stars of IIFA 2027. However, with IIFA having a history of bringing in additional names, presenters and surprise guests in the months preceding the event, it is best to read this list as a guideline, not as the final word.

Q4. Which Bollywood Stars Will Perform at IIFA 2027?
Ans. Many performers, hosts, and presenters are all on board for both days of the show, ranging from seasoned Bollywood actors to more internet-oriented entertainers. A comprehensive list by function has been mentioned in the lineup part above, but it's good to keep in mind that this is only an early list, and IIFA always adds more presenters as the day of the show approaches.

Q5. What Is the Difference Between IIFA Awards and IIFA Digital Awards?
Ans. The flagship ceremony, that celebrates Hindi cinema in the traditional sense, films and the big green-carpet moment that makes fans associate the brand, is the main IIFA Awards, which will be held on January 23.  This year, the IIFA Digital Awards, which took place a day earlier on January 22nd, is a new awards night dedicated to the digital content and streaming-first entertainment world, which marks a significant evolution of the industry into the online sphere over recent years.

Q6. How Can Fans Book IIFA 2027 Tickets, and What Are the Prices?
Ans. There are only a few verified channels for booking tickets for the main ceremony, and the official booking platform for Etihad Arena has recently opened online. The pricing system is divided into 4 categories, inclusive of VAT, that are Bronze (AED 100), Silver (AED 200), Gold (AED 400) and Diamond (AED 600). Please note that tickets can only be used once, so please plan your evening to go around this before going in.