Rani Singh
Abu Dhabi is getting ready to welcome Bollywood back on a grand scale as the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards returns to Yas Island in January 2027.
The 27th edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards will take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027. It will be IIFA’s fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi and will be held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral.
The return sets the stage for two days of Indian cinema, live entertainment, celebrity appearances and performances, with audiences and members of the film industry expected to come together in the UAE capital.
Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and More Stars Confirmed
IIFA has already revealed a major celebrity line-up for its 2027 edition.
Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal have been announced as part of the celebrations at Yas Island.
The mix of actors, filmmakers and entertainers gives fans an early indication of the scale planned for the 27th edition.
Further details about performances, award categories and other participating stars are expected as the event gets closer.
IIFA 2027 Dates and Venue
IIFA 2027 will be staged across Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2027, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Yas Island has developed into one of Abu Dhabi’s major leisure and entertainment destinations and regularly hosts large international events. IIFA’s return will mark the organisation’s fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi, continuing a relationship that has grown over several editions.
For visitors travelling to the UAE for the awards, the location also puts the event close to Yas Island’s hotels, restaurants and entertainment attractions.
When Do IIFA 2027 Tickets Go on Sale?
Fans planning to attend will soon be able to secure their seats.
According to the official IIFA announcement, tickets for IIFA 2027 go on sale at 10:00 AM UAE time on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Tickets will be available through Etihad Arena's official IIFA 2027 ticket page.
With names including Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Varun Dhawan already announced, the event is positioned to attract Bollywood fans from across the UAE as well as visitors from India and the wider GCC.
Abu Dhabi and IIFA Continue Their Partnership
IIFA’s return also highlights Abu Dhabi’s continuing efforts to host major international entertainment and cultural events.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, described IIFA as an influential celebration of Indian cinema and said its return reflects Abu Dhabi’s longstanding relationship with India while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a destination for entertainment and culture.
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events at Miral, said the organisation was delighted to welcome IIFA back for its fourth Abu Dhabi showcase. She highlighted the shared focus on creativity and storytelling and the role major events can play in strengthening Yas Island’s international appeal.
The partnership connects two significant audiences: the UAE’s growing international entertainment market and the enormous global following of Indian cinema.
More Than 26 Years of Taking Indian Cinema Global
IIFA has spent more than 26 years taking Indian cinema beyond its home market, using international editions of the awards to connect Bollywood with audiences around the world.
Abu Dhabi has increasingly become part of that journey. The 2027 edition will once again place Yas Island at the centre of IIFA’s international celebration of Indian film, entertainment and culture.
Andre Timmins, Founder and Director of IIFA Weekend & Awards, said the organisation wants to raise the bar for its next Abu Dhabi edition with bigger experiences and greater fan engagement.
He described the fourth showcase on Yas Island as a significant moment in IIFA’s relationship with Abu Dhabi and said the 2027 event would seek to extend the celebration beyond the arena. The announcement also names Sobha Realty, YouTube and ZEE among IIFA 2027’s partners. Global Release Wednesday 16th September – Official Announcement at ATM IIFA 2027 ABU DHABI GETS READY FOR ITS BIGGEST IIFA YET (4).docxDOCX
A Major Bollywood Weekend for Abu Dhabi
With the dates and venue confirmed, tickets going on sale and several of Indian cinema’s biggest names already announced, attention will now turn to additional performers, presenters and programme details.
For Bollywood fans in the UAE, January 22–23, 2027 will bring another opportunity to experience one of Indian cinema’s major international awards celebrations without leaving the country.
And for Abu Dhabi, IIFA 2027 adds another major entertainment event to Yas Island’s calendar while strengthening the capital’s connection with Indian cinema and its global audience.
IIFA 2027 will take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027. Tickets go on sale on September 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM UAE time.