IIFA Awards 2027 Abu Dhabi: Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan lead star line-up

The 27th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) are set to return to Abu Dhabi in January 2027, marking the fourth time the city has hosted the prestigious event. Bollywood heavyweights Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor are among the star-studded line-up, which also includes Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal.

Event organizers have yet to announce the hosts, performers or award presenters for the ceremony. Tickets will become available for purchase on September 18, 2026, at 10am UAE time via the Etihad Arena's website. The IIFA Awards celebrate the best of Hindi cinema, while the IIFA Utsavam honors achievements across South Indian film industries such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema.

First established in 2000, the IIFA Awards have traditionally traveled to various destinations, including Dubai, Bangkok, New York, Amsterdam, Madrid, Kuala Lumpur and Macau. Dubai hosted the event in 2006 and Abu Dhabi took over the hosting duties in 2022, becoming the longest-running recent host of the ceremony. Andre Timmins, founder and director of IIFA Weekend & Awards, expressed excitement about returning to Abu Dhabi for the fourth time, highlighting the desire to raise the bar with bigger stars, experiences and fan engagement.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the significance of the event's return to Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the emirate's strong relationship with India and its growing status as a global entertainment and culture destination.