Wednesday 16 / September / 2026
Abu Dhabi: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards is coming back to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for its fourth showcase in the destination, marking another landmark chapter in IIFA’s global journey.
The highly anticipated 27th Edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards returns to Abu Dhabi in 2027 on 22nd and 23rd of January 2027. The event will take place at the iconic Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi.
The landmark moment unfolded at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 as IIFA officially announced the return of the 27th Edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Held at the global travel platform where industry leaders come together to forge partnerships, drive innovation and shape the future of travel, the announcement brought together Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi - Group CEO – Miral, H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry - Director General Tourism Sector at Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Andre Timmins the Visionary Co-Founder- IIFA. The occasion was marked by a ceremonial signing celebrating the continued IIFA - Abu Dhabi partnership, setting the stage for IIFA’s spectacular return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
IIFA 2027 will bring together two days of star power, music, spectacular performances and cinematic excellence, once again creating a global meeting point for audiences, artists, creators and communities from around the world.
IIFA and Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is a destination that welcomes the world, where cultures connect, creativity thrives and extraordinary experiences bring people together. With its distinctive blend of culture, entertainment, hospitality and innovation, the emirate has established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic destinations, creating memorable experiences for visitors and communities from across the globe.
At the heart of this vision, Yas Island has emerged as a globally renowned destination for entertainment and leisure, bringing together world-class attractions, spectacular LIVE events and immersive experiences unlike anywhere else. IIFA’s return for its fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi celebrates a partnership that has continued to grow in ambition and global impact, strengthening the connection between Abu Dhabi and the global Indian entertainment community.
For more than 26 years, IIFA has taken Indian cinema to the world. In Abu Dhabi, it has found a natural global stage, a destination that shares IIFA’s belief in the power of entertainment to connect cultures, create unforgettable moments and bring audiences together from across borders.
IIFA 2027 will build on this shared vision, once again placing Yas Island, Abu Dhabi at the centre of a global celebration of Indian cinema, culture and entertainment.
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.”
Star-studded line-up
The 27th Edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards is set to be a star-studded celebration, with an unmissable line-up of India’s biggest entertainers taking centre stage.
The star-studded celebrations will feature Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, coming together for an unforgettable IIFA Weekend & Awards in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Together, they will bring an electrifying mix of glamour, entertainment and cinematic excellence to the IIFA 2027 stage.
