Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and more stars head to Yas Island.
- IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi returns to Yas Island for its fourth showcase.
- Salman Khan leads a starry lineup of Bollywood favourites.
- Etihad Arena will host two days of cinema and spectacle.
- Tickets are now bringing Bollywood fans closer to Yas Island.
- Yas Island Events Get A Bollywood Upgrade
January weekends in the UAE have a certain rhythm, cooler evenings, packed restaurants and plenty of reasons to head towards Yas Island. Now, IIFA 2027 Abu Dhabi is giving Bollywood fans another date to circle, with the 27th edition heading to Etihad Arena on 22 and 23 January 2027. Mark it down.
For anyone who has made a Yas Island event into a full evening out, the setting is part of the appeal. Dinner can start around Yas Bay Waterfront before the lights, music and crowds take over Etihad Arena. IIFA returns to the venue for its fourth Abu Dhabi showcase. Expect plenty of sparkle.
The lineup is already giving fans something to talk about. Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal are confirmed for the celebration, bringing actors, filmmakers and performers together under one roof. That is quite the guest list.
For Indian cinema fans across the UAE, the appeal goes beyond an awards ceremony. IIFA has spent more than 26 years taking Indian cinema to international audiences, and its Abu Dhabi edition turns that connection into a live experience filled with music, celebrity appearances and performances. It feels made for a weekend.
Around Yas Island, that means the IIFA atmosphere can stretch beyond the arena itself. Fans arriving from Dubai could turn the trip into a winter staycation, while Abu Dhabi residents have a major Bollywood event unfolding practically on their doorstep. Hotels, dining and attractions give the weekend plenty of room to continue.
Behind the scenes, the return was officially marked at Arabian Travel Market 2026 through a ceremonial signing involving IIFA, the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi and Miral. The partnership is returning with ambition. This time, the promise is bigger fan engagement and experiences extending beyond the main arena.
Tickets went on sale from 18 September at 10am UAE time through Etihad Arena, giving fans the chance to plan their January weekend early. With IIFA returning to Yas Island and a major Bollywood lineup already confirmed, Abu Dhabi is preparing for two nights where cinema, music and celebrity culture take centre stage. The countdown has begun!
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