From Salman Khan to Kareena Kapoor Khan, IIFA 2027 Promises a Star-Studded Spectacle
THE 27TH IIFA WEEKEND & AWARDS: THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS
- The 27th Edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards is set to take over Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on 22–23 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
- IIFA Digital Awards Performers: Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan
- IIFA and Sobha Realty extend their landmark partnership into 2027, marking four years of collaboration
- ORN.COM joins IIFA Weekend & Awards 2027 as Co-Powered By Sponsor
- ZEE continues as IIFA’s Broadcasting Partner, taking Indian cinema to audiences across more than 120 countries
- YouTube joins IIFA 2027 as Official Streaming Partner for a historic first-ever global livestream
- IIFA 2027 tickets are now on sale, with Digital Awards ticket sales also opening shortly
Come January, Yas Island will trade its usual sparkle for an even brighter constellation of stars as Bollywood’s biggest names descend on Abu Dhabi for the 27th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Etihad Arena, the two-day celebration on 22–23 January 2027 will bring together Indian cinema, music and live entertainment for one of the industry’s most anticipated global showcases.
The countdown began in Mumbai on 22 October, when the much-anticipated IIFA press conference unveiled a star-studded line-up of hosts and performers, an impressive roster of global partners and a landmark digital chapter designed to take the IIFA experience to audiences worldwide.
For more than 26 years, IIFA has carried the story and spirit of Indian cinema across borders, connecting its biggest stars with audiences and cultures around the world.
Its return to Yas Island for a fourth showcase marks another milestone in a partnership shaped by Abu Dhabi’s growing presence on the global entertainment map. The 2027 edition builds on IIFA’s collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the creator of immersive destinations and experiences across the emirate.
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 another extraordinary IIFA celebration, with a line-up that brings together some of the most recognisable names in Indian entertainment.
The IIFA Awards 2027 will be hosted by Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul and Ananya Panday, while the stage will come alive with performances by Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Nora Fatehi.
The IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will add another dimension to the weekend, with acclaimed actors Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee taking on hosting duties.
The digital celebration will feature performances by hitmaker Himesh Reshammiya and powerhouse vocalist Sunidhi Chauhan, bringing together chart-topping music, dynamic stage presence and the energy of India’s evolving digital entertainment landscape.
With such a formidable line-up of hosts, performers and entertainment personalities, IIFA 2027 is poised to deliver an unforgettable LIVE experience at Etihad Arena, with Indian cinema taking centre stage before a global audience.
IIFA & SOBHA REALTY EXTEND LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP INTO 2027
IIFA and Sobha Realty will continue their landmark partnership into 2027, marking four years of collaboration and entering another exciting chapter in Abu Dhabi.
As 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.
Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Sobha Realty, said: “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
ORN.COM joins IIFA Weekend & Awards 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 celebration of Indian cinema.
ZEE × IIFA: CONTINUING TO TAKE INDIAN CINEMA TO THE WORLD
Continuing its longstanding association with IIFA, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited will once again connect audiences worldwide with the biggest celebration of Indian cinema as IIFA’s 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
In a landmark development for its 27th edition, IIFA has partnered with YouTube as its Official Streaming Partner, opening a new digital chapter for one of Indian entertainment’s most recognisable global properties.
For the first time, the IIFA Awards 2027 will stream worldwide on YouTube simultaneously with the broadcast, giving audiences across the globe access to the celebration of Indian cinema.
But the partnership goes well beyond the awards night. IIFA is opening up unprecedented access to the heart of the event through a multi-format digital universe spanning IIFA Week, including a major library of VOD and Shorts programming.
Bollywood’s biggest stars will also come together with digital creators through the on-ground YouTube Creator Collective at IIFA, giving leading creators backstage access to capture the energy and atmosphere of the celebrations first-hand.
Fans will be able to experience “IIFA Uncut,” exclusive digital watch parties, Greenroom content series and the IIFA YouTube Creator Club, bringing audiences closer to their favourite stars through authentic, raw and unfiltered storytelling.
The IIFA Weekend & Awards programming will be presented in multiple languages, beginning with Hindi and English — an exciting first for an Indian-origin entertainment event of IIFA’s scale and legacy.
The partnership brings together the power of Indian cinema, the creativity of the global creator community and one of the world’s largest video platforms, transforming IIFA from an awards event audiences watch into a broader cultural and digital 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, said: “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.”
GET READY TO EXPERIENCE IIFA 2027
22–23 January 2027
Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Tickets for IIFA 2027 are now on sale worldwide, with the IIFA Digital Awards ticket sales also set to open shortly.
