Yas Island in Abu Dhabi will host the 27th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, with the ceremony set for January 22-23, 2027 at Etihad Arena — one of the biggest annual celebrations of Indian cinema held outside India.
Organisers confirmed that this year's show will be hosted by three familiar Bollywood faces: Karan Johar, returning for his sixth time behind the IIFA microphone; Varun Dhawan, back once again as co-host; and Ananya Panday, stepping into the hosting role for the very first time.
Speaking about the milestone, Panday said returning to the event where her own journey in the industry effectively began carries special meaning for her, adding that she is "genuinely excited" about the chance to "celebrate some of the biggest stars, stories and achievements of Indian cinema."
Over the past two decades, IIFA has grown into one of the most prominent touring celebrations of Hindi-language cinema, having previously been staged in cities including Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and in South Africa. Abu Dhabi's selection to host the 2027 edition fits into the UAE's broader push to attract major international entertainment events and strengthen its position as a destination for cultural and artistic tourism.
Yas Island, which has previously hosted major international concerts and large-scale events, is expected to draw thousands of fans of Indian cinema from around the world for the ceremony, along with extensive international media coverage, further cementing Abu Dhabi's growing calendar of high-profile entertainment fixtures.