Sobha Realty has reaffirmed its association with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) for the fourth consecutive year, returning as Title Sponsor of IIFA Weekend and Co-Presenting Sponsor of the IIFA Awards 2027. At a press conference in Mumbai, the UAE-based developer also highlighted its expansion into Abu Dhabi and its growing international presence.The upcoming IIFA Weekend and Awards will be held on 22 and 23 January 2027 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The partnership, which began in Abu Dhabi in 2023, provides the developer with a platform to engage with Indian audiences globally. India remains an important market for the company, with Indian buyers accounting for 20 per cent of its total sales.A key part of Sobha Realty’s expansion in the UAE capital is Sobha City, an AED 40 billion master-planned development spanning approximately 38 million sq ft in Al Bahiya, near Yas Island and Zayed International Airport. Unveiled earlier this year, it is the company’s first large-scale residential community in Abu Dhabi.Envisioned as an integrated, nature-led development, Sobha City will include residences, green spaces, waterfront experiences and lifestyle amenities. Nearly 60 per cent of the masterplan is earmarked for open and green spaces. The project will follow the developer’s ‘The Art of Detail’ philosophy and proprietary backward integration model.Sobha Realty is also expanding its presence beyond the UAE, with regional offices and strategic land acquisitions in the United States and Australia. In the UAE, the company has 79 million sq ft and more than 37,000 homes under construction across three emirates. It plans to hand over more than 6,000 homes across Dubai in 2026. The combined sales value of its 2026 handovers in Dubai is approximately AED 21.6 billion.Commenting on the company’s association with IIFA and its expansion into Abu Dhabi, Francis Alfred, Managing Director, Sobha Realty, said the return of IIFA to Abu Dhabi coincided with the company’s entry into the capital through Sobha City. He added that the company’s focus on quality and craftsmanship would guide its expansion into the United States and Australia.“Our ambition is not to be the largest developer from the UAE, but one of the most respected in the world, building communities that endure for generations to come,” he said.Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Sobha Realty, said the four-year association with IIFA reflected a shared commitment to excellence, creativity and connecting with audiences worldwide. He added that Abu Dhabi was strategically important to the company, with Sobha City reflecting its confidence in the emirate’s long-term growth.“India continues to be an important market for Sobha Realty, with Indian buyers representing 20 per cent of our sales. The trust and confidence of our Indian customers have been instrumental in our growth journey,” Parakh said.The developer also has partnerships with Arsenal Football Club and the International Cricket Council (ICC), through which it seeks to strengthen its visibility and engage with audiences across international markets.