IIFA Awards 2027 to return to Abu Dhabi

The 27th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards are scheduled to take place on January 22 and 23, 2027, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This marks the fourth consecutive time the ceremony will be held in the emirate, organized in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral.

Varun Dhawan is set to host the event alongside Karan Johar, Ananya Panday, and Maniesh Paul. During the announcement, Dhawan emphasized a focus on celebrating filmmaking talent, specifically technicians. Additionally, Pankaj Tripathi will host the IIFA Digital Awards 2027 for the first time with co-stars Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee.

IIFA co-founder Sabbas Joseph noted the growing global reach of Indian cinema, stating that international markets have grown from less than 2 per cent of earnings in 2000 to nearly 30 per cent today. Organizers also expressed interest in returning the awards to the United States in 2028.