IIFA 2027 is headed to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on January 22–23, with Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Shahid Kapoor set to perform. For the first time, the awards will stream live globally on YouTube.
Updated: October 23, 2026, 10:30 IST
Quick Read
- The 26th IIFA: January 22–23, 2027, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi — the fourth Abu Dhabi edition.
- Performers include Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna (IIFA debut), and Nora Fatehi.
- First-ever global livestream: YouTube joins as official streaming partner, plus a new “IIFA Unfiltered” segment.
The International Indian Film Academy announced its 2027 edition at a Mumbai press conference on October 22. IIFA 2027 — the 26th edition of the awards — will take place on January 22 and 23, 2027, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s the fourth time Abu Dhabi hosts the show.
The performer lineup is stacked. Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, and Nora Fatehi will take the stage. Rashmika Mandanna makes her IIFA debut this year — she takes the IIFA stage in the same season she’s headlining Ranabaali opposite Vijay Deverakonda. Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan will also perform.
The hosting team
Varun Dhawan makes his hosting debut, joined by Ananya Panday, Karan Johar, and Maniesh Paul. The IIFA Digital Awards get their own anchors: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Abhishek Banerjee.
Varun picked up some advice from Salman at the press conference. When Varun claimed award shows ignore technicians, Salman corrected him — “times have changed.” Then came the joke: “Don’t host. Six hours go in hosting. Best is to perform and leave.” The room laughed. Varun is hosting anyway.
First-ever YouTube livestream
This is the big change. YouTube joins as the official streaming partner, and IIFA 2027 will get its first-ever global livestream. Fans who can’t fly to Abu Dhabi can watch the whole show live from home. A new segment called “IIFA Unfiltered” will also run on the platform.
For an awards show that has always been a television event, this is a real shift. The audience is no longer limited to whoever’s inside the arena. Fans in the US, the UK, and the Gulf can tune in live instead of waiting for clips the next morning. IIFA hasn’t detailed the streaming plan yet, but the “official streaming partner” tag suggests YouTube is indeed the central plan.
We used to get excited about an awards show — and then the excitement turned into a long night of waiting. With YouTube streaming it live, the event is now right there in your pocket — the phone in your hand is a front-row seat. And that shift could make this the most-watched IIFA yet.
Also read: Salman Khan’s heavy-security Mumbai airport appearance | November 2026 Bollywood releases: full list
The moments everyone talked about
Kareena Kapoor Khan hugged her ex-boyfriend Shahid Kapoor at the event, News18 reported — a moment the cameras loved. The two were among the biggest names on stage at the announcement.
Salman, meanwhile, had a message for the paparazzi. He warned them again about shooting from inappropriate angles: “Peeche ka yaad rakh lena, itni izzat to de hi sakte ho” — roughly, remember what happened last time, you can at least give me this much respect. He arrived amid heavy security, days after his tightly guarded appearance at Mumbai airport.
Also read: Salman Khan’s heavy-security Mumbai airport appearance | November 2026 Bollywood releases: full list
Why Abu Dhabi, again
This is the fourth IIFA in Abu Dhabi, and that’s no accident. The emirate has turned the Bollywood awards weekend into a fixture — Yas Island, the arena, the tourism push around it. For the industry, it’s a familiar stage. For fans in the Gulf, it’s the closest the awards ever come to home. Yas Island is, by now, the awards’ second home.
January 22–23, 2027. Etihad Arena. And for the first time, you won’t need a ticket to be there.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is IIFA 2027?
January 22–23, 2027, at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s the 26th edition of the awards.
Who is performing at IIFA 2027?
Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna (her IIFA debut), and Nora Fatehi. Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan also perform.
Will IIFA 2027 stream online?
Yes — YouTube is the official streaming partner, and the awards will get their first-ever global livestream, plus a new “IIFA Unfiltered” segment.
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