CANNES, France — Sharon Osbourne confirmed the return of Ozzfest in 2027 during a panel at the MIDEM music conference, declaring the iconic metal festival will relaunch after a nine-year hiatus.
“Yes, absolutely. Yeah, we’re gonna do it,” Osbourne told Download Festival promoter Andy Copping at the event held at the Palais des Festivals last month, with video posted online March 2, 2026.
The last Ozzfest occurred in 2018 at The Forum in Los Angeles, just before Ozzy Osbourne’s serious illness paused the event. Sharon explained there were no plans to end it permanently; health issues simply halted progress.
On The Osbournes Podcast episode released March 4, 2026, Sharon detailed the revival, starting with two shows at Villa Park in Birmingham, U.K., Ozzy’s hometown and site of Black Sabbath’s final concert in July 2025. Two North American dates will follow, with potential expansion to a touring format in 2028 if successful.
Ozzy, who died July 22, 2025 at age 77, had questioned if Ozzfest could continue without him. Sharon responded, “Yeah, it’s a brand. It will work without you,” prompting Ozzy to say, “We should do it”.
Ozzfest’s official Instagram echoed the news with a graphic stating “Ozzfest Will Return”.
Founded in 1996 by Sharon and Ozzy after Lollapalooza rejected Ozzy’s inclusion, Ozzfest began as two dates in Phoenix and Devore, California, headlined by Ozzy with Slayer, Danzig and Biohazard.
It expanded to a nationwide tour in 1997, featuring Marilyn Manson, Pantera and a reunited Black Sabbath. By 1998, it drew 20,000 attendees per show across 21 dates, boosting acts like Limp Bizkit and Incubus.
Ozzfest became a kingmaker for nu-metal, launching Slipknot in 1999, whose chaotic second-stage sets built massive hype. System of a Down, Disturbed and Lamb of God also gained traction through the festival.
Over 22 years, Ozzfest hosted genres from thrash to death metal, with international editions in Europe and Japan. It grossed over $100 million by 2007 and influenced festivals like Knotfest and Power Trip.
Rob Halford of Judas Priest called Sharon the first to create a touring metal festival of such scale. Fear Factory’s Burton C. Bell credited it with reviving metal in the 1990s.
Controversies included Sharon cutting power to Iron Maiden in 2005 amid a feud, and free admission in 2007 sponsored by brands.
Sharon partners with Live Nation for the 2027 revival, though no lineup or exact dates are announced.
For Southern Maryland metal fans, past Ozzfests stopped nearby, including 2004 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, about 70 miles from Leonardtown, drawing regional crowds. Local venues like The Fillmore Silver Spring have hosted Ozzfest alumni, fostering the area’s rock scene.
The return honors Ozzy’s legacy, with Sharon noting on the podcast an upcoming biopic and exhibition of his artifacts.
Ozzfest’s reboot signals metal’s enduring appeal, bridging generations as it did for decades.