The International Indian Film Academy Awards, better known as IIFA, will once again put the UAE at the centre of Bollywood’s global calendar, bringing the biggest stars of Hindi cinema to Abu Dhabi.
The star-studded celebrations will feature Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, coming together for an unforgettable IIFA Weekend & Awards in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
For film fans across the Emirates, the return promises another major weekend of red carpets, live performances, celebrity appearances and celebrations of the year’s biggest Hindi films. IIFA has built a reputation for turning its awards night into a larger entertainment event, drawing leading actors, filmmakers, musicians and creators, alongside fans travelling from India and beyond.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The UAE has been a key destination for IIFA in recent years. Abu Dhabi hosted the awards for three consecutive editions from 2022 to 2024, with Etihad Arena on Yas Island welcoming some of the Indian film industry’s biggest names. The 2024 edition featured Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Vicky Kaushal as hosts, while performances and appearances from stars including Rekha and Shahid Kapoor added to the spectacle.
The awards have also expanded beyond one main ceremony in recent editions. The UAE programme has included IIFA Rocks, which spotlights music and performances, as well as IIFA Utsavam, an event recognising achievements across South Indian cinema. It remains to be seen whether the January 2027 edition will follow a similar multi-event format.
IIFA was launched in 2000 and has travelled to cities around the world, but its UAE editions have had particular resonance for the region’s large Indian diaspora and Bollywood-loving audiences. The event has consistently brought together cinema, music, fashion and tourism, with fans often getting the chance to see their favourite stars on the red carpet and on stage.
Organisers are expected to reveal more information soon, including the exact venue, schedule and details of ticket sales. Fans planning to attend should wait for official IIFA announcements before booking travel or purchasing tickets.
Tickets go on sale at 10am UAE time on Friday, September 18.
Source: Khaleej Times
