IIFA 2027 is taking over Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Zaheer Darbar – Entertainment Editor

IIFA 2027 is taking over Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards is set to return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for its fourth showcase in the destination, with the 27th edition scheduled for January 22 and 23, 2027 at the iconic Etihad Arena.

The event will be held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, the creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi.

IIFA has established a long-running relationship with Yas Island. The organisation describes its mission as taking Indian cinema to international audiences and connecting people and cultures through cinema.

Partnership Celebrated at Arabian Travel Market

The return of IIFA 2027 was announced at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, where representatives from IIFA, DCT Abu Dhabi and Miral came together for a ceremonial signing marking the continuation of the partnership.

Those participating in the announcement included Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral; H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General, Tourism Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi; and Andre Timmins, Co-Founder of IIFA.

The partnership brings together Abu Dhabi’s tourism and entertainment infrastructure with IIFA’s international Indian cinema platform.

Two Days of Cinema, Music and Entertainment

IIFA 2027 is expected to feature two days of Indian cinema, live music, celebrity appearances, performances and awards, bringing together actors, filmmakers, creators, industry professionals, international audiences and members of the Indian diaspora.

IIFA has previously described its Yas Island events as a platform connecting Indian cinema with international audiences. Its 2023 edition at Yas Island attracted more than 20,000 attendees and more than 350 media representatives from 17 countries, according to IIFA.

Abu Dhabi and Indian Cinema

For Abu Dhabi, the continued association with IIFA forms part of the emirate’s broader strategy of developing its cultural, tourism and entertainment sectors.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said IIFA’s return reflects the longstanding relationship between Abu Dhabi and India and reinforces the emirate’s profile as an international destination for entertainment and culture.

Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director – Marketing, Communications and Events at Miral, said the organisation was delighted to welcome IIFA back to Yas Island, highlighting the partnership’s focus on creativity, storytelling and international audiences.

Yas Island already hosts major entertainment attractions and events, including Etihad Arena, and has previously hosted multiple editions of IIFA.

Star Power Expected at IIFA 2027

The 27th edition is expected to feature a major Bollywood presence, with the announced lineup including Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal.

Their participation is expected to add further star power to a weekend combining awards, music, live performances and celebrations of Indian cinema.

IIFA’s Yas Island editions have historically brought together performers and leading figures from Hindi and South Indian cinema. The 2024 edition, for example, expanded the festival format to include Hindi cinema alongside Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema.

A Global Platform for Indian Cinema

Founded at the beginning of the new millennium, IIFA has developed an international platform for Indian cinema, taking its awards and entertainment events to cities around the world. IIFA says it has travelled across 17 cities as part of its international journey.

The organisation’s current initiatives also extend beyond awards. Its IIFA Connex platform focuses on bringing together entertainment companies, creators, brands, investors and emerging talent through discussions, networking and industry-focused experiences.

With its return to Yas Island in January 2027, IIFA will once again connect Indian cinema, global audiences and Abu Dhabi’s growing entertainment and tourism ecosystem, reinforcing the emirate’s role as an international stage for major cultural events.