When Ozzfest packed up its gear at The Forum in Inglewood on New Year's Eve in 2018, it looked like the end of the road. For more than twenty years, the brand had served as the touring backbone of heavy music, but that California appearance felt distinctly final. That long silence is now set to break. The Osbourne family has confirmed that Ozzfest will stage its official return in 2027, bringing the event back to American soil after what will be a nine year gap.
The American announcement builds on earlier news that the festival is returning to Villa Park in Birmingham, turning what began as a localized tribute into a full transatlantic project. The Birmingham football ground holds deep emotional significance for the Osbournes, having hosted Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath for their final live sets during the Back To The Beginning concert in July 2025. Ozzy died at the age of 76 just weeks after walking off that stage. Sharon Osbourne revealed earlier in the year that her husband explicitly gave his blessing to reviving the festival, framing the upcoming events as a direct continuation of his life and work.
Organizers made the wider plans public on Monday, September 21, posting an image of Ozzy flanked by the American and British flags on the festival's official Instagram account. The update promised that more details are coming soon and asked fans to weigh in on where the American edition should land. For now, specific dates, host cities, and individual venues are still being kept under wraps.
A focus on new talent
Sharon and Jack Osbourne have been adamant that any revival must stay true to the spirit of the early tours, particularly when it comes to supporting younger artists. Sharon explained that the Birmingham show will take place first before the production heads over the Atlantic. During a discussion with Jack, she stressed that hunting down fresh talent was their primary responsibility because that was always what Ozzy wanted. Jack shared that stance, confirming plans to place at least one unsigned band on the bill. Behind the scenes, Sharon confirmed that talks between promoters and potential performers are already in progress, though no artists have been officially announced yet.
That focus on newcomers mirrors the festival's historical track record. Launched in 1996, Ozzfest quickly established itself as a cultural anchor for metal and alternative music throughout the late nineties and early two thousands. The roadshow offered an essential platform for emerging groups, giving acts such as Slipknot, System Of A Down, and Disturbed access to massive mainstream audiences while they were still finding their footing. By the time the brand held its single day gathering in 2018, the bill leaned far more on established veterans, teaming Ozzy with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and DevilDriver.
The reason behind the long hiatus came down to behind the scenes industry finances. Speaking in 2023, Sharon explained that mounting pressures from booking agents and artist managers had gradually eroded the viability of the touring model. Even though Ozzfest continued to turn a profit, escalating cost demands eventually meant that running an operation of that magnitude was no longer cost effective. Overcoming those very same economic hurdles will be critical if the Osbournes hope to make the 2027 return work.
If those dual stagings succeed, the plans could become even more ambitious. The Osbourne camp views the 2027 shows as a potential springboard, noting that strong ticket sales and audience enthusiasm could pave the way for bigger things. Sharon previously mentioned the possibility of rebuilding Ozzfest into a full traveling tour as soon as 2028, meaning the upcoming UK and US dates could be the opening steps of a much larger resurgence.
