The magic of IIFA 2027 took centre stage in Mumbai as the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards hosted its much-anticipated Mumbai Press Conference, bringing together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema to mark the next chapter of IIFA’s global journey.
With the 27th Edition of the IIFA Weekend & Awards set to return to Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in the new year, the countdown is officially on for another spectacular celebration of Indian cinema, its stars and its global audience.
Taking place at the iconic Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on 22nd–23rd January, IIFA 2027 promises two spectacular days of superstars, music, and entertainment, bringing together leading talent and Indian cinema enthusiasts from across the world for an unforgettable LIVE experience.
For over 26 years, IIFA has celebrated the magic of Indian cinema on the global stage, bringing together the biggest stars, passionate fans, and cultures from across the world. Now, in the heart of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, this extraordinary journey continues, creating unforgettable moments, celebrating the power of entertainment and bringing the world closer through the magic of cinema.
IIFA IS BACK ON YAS ISLAND, ABU DHABI, FOR A FOURTH EDITION BIGGER AND BETTER THAN BEFORE
Returning to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for its fourth showcase, IIFA 2027 builds on its landmark partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, further deepening the connection between Abu Dhabi and the global Indian entertainment community.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “IIFA is one of the world’s most influential celebrations of Indian cinema, and its return to Abu Dhabi 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, Miral, said, “We are delighted to welcome IIFA back to Yas Island for its fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi, bringing the energy and artistry of Indian cinema to Etihad Arena; Yas Island holds a special place in IIFA’s global journey. Our continued partnership with IIFA is rooted in a shared passion for creativity and storytelling. Through events of this scale, we create moments that resonate with audiences worldwide, strengthen Yas Island’s position as a leading global destination for leisure and entertainment, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a destination for culture and tourism.”
THE STARS ARE READY. THE SPECTACLE BEGINS.
The stage is set for an extraordinary night of Indian cinema as IIFA Awards 2027 brings together an electrifying line-up of hosts and performers.
IIFA Awards 2027 will be hosted by Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday with the stage set to ignite with powerhouse performances by Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi
Adding another exciting dimension to the celebrations, IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will be hosted by acclaimed actors Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee bringing together some of the most celebrated voices from India’s entertainment landscape.
IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will feature electrifying performances by hit maker Himesh Reshammiya and the powerhouse vocalist Sunidhi Chauhan, bringing together chart-topping hits, dynamic stage presence and musical brilliance for an unforgettable celebration of digital entertainment.
With a mega line-up of hosts, performers, and India’s biggest names in entertainment, IIFA 2027 is set to deliver an unforgettable LIVE experience at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where the stars come together, and Indian cinema takes centre stage on the world stage.
IIFA 2027 TICKETS NOW ON SALE: THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
The wait is over. Tickets for IIFA 2027 are now on sale worldwide, inviting fans across the globe to experience two spectacular days of star power, music, entertainment and the magic of Indian cinema LIVE at the iconic Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
IIFA & SOBHA REALTY EXTEND LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP INTO 2027, MARKING FOUR YEARS OF COLLABORATION
IIFA and Sobha Realty will continue their landmark partnership into 2027, marking four years of collaboration and entering an exciting new chapter in Abu Dhabi.
As the presenting sponsor of IIFA Weekend and IIFA Digital Awards, Sobha Realty will harness IIFA’s global platform to spotlight its growing presence in the emirate and Sobha City Abu Dhabi, connecting the brand with Indian cinema, culture, and audiences around the world.
Mr. Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Sobha Realty, shared his thoughts on the partnership, stating, “Sobha Realty is proud to continue its association with IIFA as Title Sponsor of IIFA Weekend and Co-Presenting Sponsor of the IIFA Awards. IIFA is more than an awards platform; it is a global celebration of Indian cinema, creativity, performance, and cultural excellence, bringing together artists, audiences and communities from around the world. This year’s expanded platform, including IIFA Digital, further reflects how entertainment continues to evolve across cinema, live experiences, and digital storytelling. At Sobha Realty, this spirit of excellence and innovation strongly resonates with our philosophy of The Art of Detail, through which we continue to create meaningful experiences defined by precision, craftsmanship, and purpose.”
ORN × IIFA 2027: A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP AS CO-POWERED BY SPONSOR
ORN.COM joins IIFA 2027 as the Co-Powered By Sponsor, strengthening its association with one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated global entertainment platforms and aligning its brand with IIFA’s international reach, cultural influence, and unparalleled celebration of Indian cinema.
ZEE × IIFA CONTINUE TO BRING THE WORLD CLOSER TO INDIAN CINEMA
Continuing its longstanding association with IIFA, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited will once again connect audiences worldwide with the biggest celebration of Indian cinema as the official Broadcasting Partner.
Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited said, “Our continued association with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards for the third consecutive year reflects our shared commitment to celebrate the excellence of Indian cinema and take its rich storytelling legacy to audiences across the globe. As ‘Z’ transitions into a Technology Company, we are leveraging our strong content ecosystem, expansive broadcast and digital presence, and emerging technological capabilities to deepen consumer engagement and capture a greater share of the Attention Economy. Our partnership with IIFA is a testament to our commitment to delivering premium entertainment experiences at scale, while creating meaningful opportunities for brands, partners and the larger entertainment ecosystem. We look forward to further strengthening this association and celebrating the creativity, cultural richness and growing global influence of Indian cinema.”
IIFA × YOUTUBE: INDIAN ENTERTAINMENT STEPS ONTO A NEW GLOBAL DIGITAL STAGE AS THE OFFICIAL STREAMING PARTNER
IIFA has announced a landmark strategic partnership with YouTube for its 27th edition, marking a defining moment for Indian entertainment on the global digital stage.
At the heart of the partnership, the IIFA Awards 2027 will stream worldwide on YouTube, simultaneously with the broadcast, opening the doors of Indian cinema’s biggest global celebration to audiences everywhere.
But the magic extends far beyond the main stage, bringing together the unique strengths of both partners to create a multi-format digital universe. IIFA is opening up unprecedented access to the heart of the event, and unlocking a massive library of VOD and Shorts programming across IIFA Week.
The partnership will bring Bollywood’s biggest stars together with digital creators for high-impact, exclusive collaborations at the on-ground YouTube Creator Collective at IIFA, giving leading digital creator’s on-ground backstage access to capture the energy first-hand. On the platform, fans will get to experience “IIFA Uncut,” featuring exclusive digital watch parties, Greenroom content series, and the IIFA YouTube Creator Club, bringing global fans closer to their favorite stars through authentic, raw, and unfiltered storytelling.
The IIFA Weekend & Awards programming will be presented in multiple languages, starting with Hindi and English. It marks an exciting first for an Indian-origin entertainment event of IIFA’s scale and legacy, bringing together the power of Indian cinema, creators and one of the world’s largest global video platforms to transform IIFA from an awards night audiences watch into a cultural moment.
Gunjan Soni, Managing Director – India, YouTube, said, “Welcoming IIFA to YouTube represents a powerful milestone in bringing the best of Indian cinema to a wide global audience. YouTube is proud to be the canvas where the legendary scale of Indian cinema meets the limitless creativity of our creator community and fans worldwide. The power is multiplied by going beyond the event itself, unlocking unprecedented behind-the-scenes, unfiltered storytelling across every screen for global fans.”
INDIAN CINEMA. GLOBAL STAGE. ONE EXTRAORDINARY IIFA.
More than an awards celebration, IIFA is where Indian cinema meets the world, creating moments that become memories, conversations and cultural milestones.
Andre Timmins, Founder/Director, The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards, commented, “For over 26 years, IIFA has believed in the extraordinary power of Indian cinema to transcend borders, bring cultures together and create moments that resonate with millions around the world. What began as a vision to take Indian cinema to the global stage has grown into a remarkable journey of storytelling, celebration and connection. And with every edition, our ambition has only grown stronger.
Returning to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for our fourth spectacular celebration is particularly special. Abu Dhabi has become our home away from home, a destination that has welcomed Indian cinema, our stars and audiences with tremendous warmth and pride. Together, we have created some of IIFA’s most memorable moments, and in 2027, we are ready to take that experience to an entirely new level.
This is an exciting defining moment for Indian cinema. Our stories are travelling further, our stars are connecting with audiences across continents, and the world is embracing Indian entertainment like never before. With the continued support of Abu Dhabi, our valued partners Sobha Realty, YouTube and ZEE, and the incredible film fraternity that makes IIFA what it is, we are shaping a celebration that goes far beyond two spectacular nights of entertainment. We are creating a global experience where cinema, culture, technology and fans come together in extraordinary new ways.”
FROM MUMBAI PRESS CONFERENCE TO ABU DHABI: THE COUNTDOWN TO IIFA 2027 BEGINS
- The 27th Edition Of IIFA Weekend & Awards Set To Take Over Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, On 22nd – 23rd January 2027
- IIFA Awards 2027 Hosts: Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul, and Ananya Panday
- IIFA Awards 2027 Performers: Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nora Fatehi
- IIFA Digital Awards 2027 Hosts: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee, along with superstar performers: Himesh Reshammiya, Sunidhi Chauhan
- IIFA & Sobha Realty Extend Landmark Partnership into 2027, Marking Four Years of Collaboration As Presenting Sponsor of IIFA Weekend and IIFA Digital Awards
- ORN Joins IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027 As Co-Powered By Sponsor, Bringing Together Logistics & Technology to the global platform.
- ZEE × IIFA Continue to take Indian Cinema to homes in over 120 countries, with ZEE Continuing as IIFA’s Broadcasting Partner.
- IIFA 2027 Partners with YouTube for a Historic First-Ever Global Livestream as Official Streaming Partner – discover IIFA Unfiltered only on YouTube.
- IIFA 2027 Tickets On Sale: https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/event-booking/iifa-awards-2027 – Digital Awards Ticket sales go live tomorrow, Friday 23rd October 2026.
GET READY TO EXPERIENCE IIFA 2027
THE GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF INDIAN CINEMA STARTS HERE
22ND – 23RD JANUARY 2027, ETIHAD ARENA, YAS ISLAND, ABU DHABI