The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) 2027 will be hosted by Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, organisers announced on 18 September 2026, with the glittering ceremony scheduled for 22 and 23 January 2027 at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. In a parallel announcement, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal will co-host the IIFA Digital Awards 2027, marking the first time a separate digital category has been accorded its own hosting duo.

Star-Studded Performer Lineup

Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor are confirmed to deliver live performances across the two-night event. Salman Khan, a long-standing presence at IIFA since its early years, is widely regarded as one of the ceremony's marquee draws. The combination of established veterans and newer generation performers signals the organisers' intent to offer a broad spectacle for audiences attending in person and watching globally.

What Salman Khan Said

Speaking about his return to the Abu Dhabi stage, Salman Khan said, 'IIFA and I go back a long, long way. I have been part of this journey since its early years, and every time IIFA calls, there is a special feeling because it is not just an awards show, it is a celebration of our films, our people and the audiences who have given us so much love.' He added that Yas Island holds a personal significance for him: 'I have a deep connection with this city, and some very special memories here... the energy that the audiences bring is something you can feel the moment you step onto that stage.'

Pankaj Tripathi's IIFA Hosting Debut

For Pankaj Tripathi, the IIFA Digital Awards assignment is doubly significant — it is not only his first time hosting an IIFA event but also his maiden appearance as an awards-show host altogether. 'For an actor, there are certain moments that come with a little extra nervousness and a lot of excitement and hosting the IIFA Digital Awards for the first time is definitely one of them,' he said in a statement. Tripathi noted that the digital category resonates with him given how digital platforms have transformed storytelling: 'The digital world has transformed the way stories are created, discovered and loved, and IIFA recognising this new generation of storytelling feels very meaningful.'

IIFA Returns to Abu Dhabi

The choice of Etihad Arena on Yas Island continues IIFA's recent pattern of anchoring its flagship ceremony in Abu Dhabi, leveraging the UAE capital's positioning as a global entertainment hub with a large South Asian diaspora. The two-night format is designed to maximise global broadcast reach and live attendance from Indian cinema enthusiasts worldwide. With the ceremony still several months away, further performer and presenter announcements are expected in the coming weeks.