IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi

The IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi bring the biggest night in Hindi cinema back to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna among the stars due on stage. It is the main awards ceremony of the 27th IIFA Weekend & Awards, and the fourth time the International Indian Film Academy has brought its celebration to the UAE capital.

Doors open at 6pm and the ceremony starts at 7:30pm, which gives you a full ninety minutes to find your seat and take in the arena before the first award is handed out.

What is IIFA?

The International Indian Film Academy Awards began in 2000, when the first ceremony was held at the Millennium Dome in London. Produced by Wizcraft International, it has since travelled to a different city almost every year, taking Bollywood’s best-known faces to audiences far beyond India. What started as a single awards night grew into a weekend of film, music and industry events, which is why it is now billed as the IIFA Weekend & Awards.

One detail sets IIFA apart from many film awards: the winners are decided by fans, who vote online for their favourite films and performances from the previous year. That gives the night a slightly different energy, as the crowd in the arena is, in a sense, cheering for its own choices.

Salman Khan has been IIFA’s brand ambassador since that first London edition, and he has performed at the awards many times. Speaking about the 2027 edition, he described his connection with IIFA as going back “a long, long way”.

Who is on the 2027 line-up?

The ticketing page lists nine names so far, with six more still to be revealed:

• Salman Khan, the face of IIFA since 2000, performing live.
• Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor, both confirmed as performers.
• Rashmika Mandanna, making her IIFA debut with a live performance.
• Janhvi Kapoor, also named among the evening’s performers.
• Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, reported as hosts of the main awards night.
• Ananya Panday, whose IIFA hosting debut is part of this edition.
• Maniesh Paul, a familiar IIFA presenter who co-hosted the 2022 Abu Dhabi ceremony.

Expect a mix of award presentations and staged dance and music performances, the format IIFA is known for. The organisers have said more names will follow, so the final running order is likely to grow between now and January.

IIFA and Abu Dhabi: the fourth chapter

Abu Dhabi has become something of a second home for the awards. The 2022 ceremony took place at Etihad Arena, with Salman Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul hosting, and the event returned to Yas Island for the following editions, including the 2024 night hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. The 2027 return was announced at Arabian Travel Market 2026 and is supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the company behind many of Yas Island’s attractions.

The weekend runs over two nights. On Friday 22 January, the IIFA Digital Awards honour streaming films and series, with Pankaj Tripathi making his awards-show hosting debut alongside Ali Fazal. Saturday 23 January is the main IIFA Awards ceremony, the night this page covers. For the first time, IIFA has also partnered with YouTube to stream the awards live around the world, though nothing beats being in the room when the big names walk out.

Inside Etihad Arena on awards night

Etihad Arena is the large indoor venue on Yas Island, a short drive from Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World and Yas Mall. It has hosted IIFA before, so the production team knows the space well. A few venue rules are worth knowing before you go:

• Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom or storage.
• Professional cameras are not permitted, so phones only for photos.
• Flags of any kind, including national flags, are not allowed inside.
• Payments in the venue are contactless only.
• E-tickets are scanned at the turnstiles, so download yours to your phone beforehand.
• Entry is single use, with no re-entry once you leave.

Guests are asked to behave in line with UAE traditions and culture. There is no formal dress code, but plenty of fans treat IIFA as a chance to dress up, so smart outfits will not look out of place.

Who it suits

This is a night for anyone who grew up on Hindi films, follows the stars on social media or simply enjoys a big, glossy live show. There is no age restriction, which makes it a realistic outing for families. Children aged two and under can attend without a ticket if they sit on a parent’s or guardian’s lap for the whole show, and anyone under 16 must be with an adult aged 21 or over. Strollers cannot go inside, but stroller parks are provided at the arena.

If you only want the music and dancing, the main awards night is still the one to pick: it is where the headline performances happen, while the Friday Digital Awards focus more on streaming titles.

Getting there

From central Abu Dhabi, take Sheikh Zayed Road and follow the signs for Yas Island and Etihad Arena. Taxi drivers generally know the venue well. If you are using public transport, the closest bus stop is Al Matar Al Qadeem, about 800 metres from the arena. Fans driving in from Dubai should allow for heavier traffic on the approach to Yas Island on a sold-out Saturday night.

Making a weekend of it? Browse more things to do in Abu Dhabi, see what else is on in the capital’s art and culture calendar, or check our guide to things to do in January across the UAE. Music fans can also keep an eye on upcoming concerts for more Bollywood nights.