IIFA set to return to Abu Dhabi, much-awaited dates expected to be announced Friday

ABU DHABI: The glamour and grandeur of Indian cinema could once again return to Abu Dhabi, with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards expected to make a comeback to the UAE capital this year.

The much-awaited announcement is expected to come this Friday, when the dates and further details of the prestigious Bollywood celebration are likely to be revealed.

IIFA has built a strong association with Abu Dhabi in recent years, with Yas Island serving as the spectacular backdrop for some of the academy’s biggest celebrations. The 2024 edition marked the event’s third consecutive showcase in Abu Dhabi, bringing together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema.

A return to Abu Dhabi would once again put the emirate in the spotlight as a global destination for Indian cinema, entertainment and celebrity events. Fans can expect the familiar mix of star-studded appearances, red-carpet glamour, spectacular performances and celebrations of the best of Indian cinema.

While the official 2026 dates have not yet been publicly confirmed, anticipation is already building among Bollywood fans across the UAE and the wider region.

All eyes will now be on Friday, when the long-awaited IIFA announcement could reveal when Bollywood's biggest stars will once again descend on Abu Dhabi.