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IIFA Awards 2027 is heading back to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22–23, with Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan set to host the main ceremony and Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor announced among the performers.
The IIFA Awards 2027 is shaping up to be another major celebration of Indian cinema as the International Indian Film Academy prepares to bring its 27th edition to Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027.
The two-day IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027 will bring together Bollywood stars, live performances, entertainment and fans from around the world. The 2027 edition marks IIFA’s fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi and continues its partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral.
The official announcement also confirms that IIFA 2027 tickets are now open, with the event positioned as another major international celebration of Indian cinema.
IIFA Awards 2027 Hosts: Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan
The IIFA Awards 2027 main ceremony will be hosted by filmmaker and television personality Karan Johar and Bollywood star Varun Dhawan.
The duo will take center stage for the awards celebration at Etihad Arena, adding their own brand of entertainment and energy to the star-studded evening.
IIFA has previously brought together some of the biggest names in Indian entertainment as hosts and performers. UrbanAsian has covered several editions of the international awards ceremony, including the 2018 IIFA Awards, where Karan Johar co-hosted the event.
Read more: IIFA 2018: Rekha, Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor Set The IIFA 2018 Stage On Fire
Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor to Perform
The IIFA Awards 2027 performers will include some of Bollywood’s most recognisable stars.
According to the announcement, Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor will take the stage for live performances during the Abu Dhabi celebration.
Salman Khan also shared his excitement about returning to the IIFA stage, recalling his long association with the awards and his connection with Abu Dhabi.
“IIFA and I go back a long, long way,” Khan said, adding that returning to Abu Dhabi brings back special memories and that he is looking forward to performing and celebrating Indian cinema with audiences.
UrbanAsian has previously covered Salman Khan’s IIFA performances, including his appearance at the 2019 edition of the awards.
Also read: Salman Khan Makes Heads Turn at IIFA 2019
Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal to Host IIFA Digital Awards 2027
The IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will have a separate hosting lineup, with acclaimed actors Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal set to host the celebration.
For Pankaj Tripathi, the occasion will mark his first experience hosting an awards show.
In his statement, Tripathi described the opportunity as both exciting and humbling, noting that his career has largely involved performing characters in front of the camera and that stepping onto the IIFA stage in a hosting role represents a new experience.
The IIFA Digital Awards also reflect the changing entertainment landscape, with digital platforms and streaming increasingly becoming an important part of how Indian stories are created, discovered and consumed.
IIFA 2027 Returns to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
The IIFA Awards 2027 will take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027.
This will be the fourth time IIFA has held its showcase in Abu Dhabi, continuing the relationship between IIFA, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral.
The official IIFA announcement describes the event as another opportunity to connect Indian cinema with international audiences while bringing together stars, fans and entertainment communities from around the world.
The destination has become an important part of IIFA’s international journey, with Yas Island providing the backdrop for performances, entertainment and fan experiences surrounding the awards.
Official IIFA website: IIFA.com
IIFA 2027 Tickets Are Now on Sale
Fans can now purchase tickets for the IIFA Awards 2027 experience in Abu Dhabi.
The official announcement directs fans to Etihad Arena for ticket information and booking.
Get your IIFA 2027 tickets:
Etihad Arena – IIFA Awards 2027
The event is expected to attract Indian cinema fans from across the UAE, India and international markets.
IIFA 2027 Partners With YouTube for Global Livestream
One of the biggest digital developments surrounding IIFA Awards 2027 is a new partnership with YouTube.
For the first time, the IIFA Awards will be streamed live worldwide on YouTube, according to the announcement.
The partnership is also expected to extend beyond the live awards ceremony, with celebrity conversations, creator-led content, behind-the-scenes footage and other digital storytelling planned around the event.
This gives fans around the world another way to experience the IIFA celebrations and follow the event beyond the main ceremony.
IIFA Awards 2027: What to Expect
The upcoming IIFA Awards 2027 will combine the main awards ceremony with the broader IIFA Weekend experience.
Fans can expect:
- IIFA Awards 2027 at Etihad Arena
- Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan as hosts
- Salman Khan performing
- Shahid Kapoor performing
- Kareena Kapoor Khan performing
- Janhvi Kapoor performing
- Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal hosting the IIFA Digital Awards
- IIFA Digital Awards 2027
- ZEE continuing as broadcasting partner
- YouTube’s first global IIFA livestream
- Sobha Realty continuing its partnership with IIFA
- Two days of entertainment at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
The official IIFA website currently promotes the 2027 edition as a global celebration bringing together major names from film, music and fashion at Yas Island.
IIFA 2027 Dates, Venue and Hosts
Event: IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027
Edition: 27th IIFA Weekend & Awards
Dates: January 22–23, 2027
Venue: Etihad Arena
Location: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
IIFA Awards 2027 Hosts: Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan
IIFA Awards 2027 Performers: Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor
IIFA Digital Awards 2027 Hosts: Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal
Broadcast Partner: ZEE Entertainment
Global Livestream Partner: YouTube
The official IIFA announcement confirms the event dates and venue, while the current IIFA website continues to feature the 2027 Abu Dhabi celebration.
IIFA Continues Taking Indian Cinema Global
For more than two decades, IIFA has used international destinations to connect Indian cinema with audiences around the world.
The 2027 edition continues that approach, bringing Bollywood stars and Indian entertainment to Abu Dhabi while expanding the event’s digital reach through YouTube.
As IIFA founder and director Andre Timmins said in the announcement, the 2027 edition is intended to
