The IIFA Weekend & Awards will be held at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on 22 and 23 January 2027, with the main ceremony on Saturday 23 January. Official tickets for the awards night start at AED 100 and go up to AED 600, including VAT.
This is the 27th edition of the event and the fourth time Abu Dhabi has hosted it. The full programme for both days has not yet been published.
Why Abu Dhabi keeps winning IIFA
The return was confirmed at Arabian Travel Market 2026, where IIFA signed a renewed partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, the company behind Yas Island’s attractions. A renewed deal, rather than a one-off booking, suggests the emirate sees recurring value in the event.
The logic is easy to read. The UAE has a very large South Asian resident population, and Bollywood is a ready-made draw for them and for visitors from India. Dubai, Riyadh and Doha all compete for major entertainment dates, but Abu Dhabi has anchored this one to a purpose-built arena and a cluster of Yas Island attractions. I have no sourced figures on the economic impact, so I will not guess at them.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s Director General for Tourism, Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, called IIFA one of the most influential celebrations of Indian cinema. Andre Timmins, IIFA’s founder and director, said in the announcement that “Indian cinema has never been more global”.
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Who is performing at IIFA 2027?
The official ticketing page lists Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and Maniesh Paul among the announced names. More stars are still to be revealed.
The IIFA press release also named Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal. Hosts, performance details and award nominees have not been confirmed in the material we have, so treat any other names circulating online with caution.
IIFA has named YouTube among its partners for this edition, alongside Sobha Realty and ZEE.
IIFA Awards 2027 ticket prices
Tickets for the 23 January awards night are on sale through Etihad Arena’s official booking page. Four categories are listed, with prices including VAT:
- Bronze: AED 100
- Silver: AED 200
- Gold: AED 400
- Diamond: AED 600
Tickets are also sold through Platinumlist, where the event is tagged as selling fast. Prices on resale sites may differ, and the official terms warn that tickets bought from unauthorised resellers can be cancelled.
Accessible seating must be booked through the Etihad Arena concierge team on 600 511 115.
Rules to know before you go
Families and children
There is no age restriction for the awards night. Children aged two and under can attend without a ticket if they sit on a parent’s lap. Anyone under 16 must be with an adult aged 21 or over.
Bags, cameras and payments
Doors open 90 minutes before the show. Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm are not allowed and there is no cloakroom, so travel light. Professional cameras and flags of any kind are not permitted, and the venue is contactless payment only.
Ticket terms
All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and valid for one entry only, with no re-entry.
How to get tickets and getting there
Book through the Etihad Arena IIFA Awards 2027 page or the Platinumlist IIFA listing. E-tickets are scanned at the turnstiles, so download them to your phone before you arrive.
Etihad Arena is on Yas Island, next to Yas Bay. Drivers coming from Dubai can take the E11 towards Abu Dhabi and follow signs for Yas Island. Taxis and ride-hailing apps also serve the venue.
Given the expected crowds, plan to arrive when doors open rather than close to the start. The arena has other big nights this season too, including Hans Zimmer’s show on 13 November, which is covered in our Abu Dhabi concerts guide.
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Frequently asked questions
When are the IIFA Awards 2027?
The IIFA Weekend runs on 22 and 23 January 2027. The main awards ceremony is on Saturday 23 January at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.
How much are IIFA 2027 tickets?
Official prices for the awards night range from AED 100 (Bronze) to AED 600 (Diamond), including VAT. Silver is AED 200 and Gold is AED 400.
Can children attend IIFA 2027?
Yes. There is no age limit, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over. Children aged two and under can sit on a parent’s lap without a ticket.
Is the start time confirmed?
Etihad Arena has not published a show time yet. Platinumlist lists doors at 6pm and a 7.30pm start, so check your e-ticket closer to the date.
