Ozzfest Sets First U.S. Edition in Nearly a Decade for 2027
Ozzfest announced via Instagram on September 21 that it will hold events in both the U.K. and the U.S. in 2027, marking its first American edition since 2018. The festival had previously revealed a planned show at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, but no dates, cities, or lineups have been disclosed yet. Sharon Osbourne, who created the festival with her late husband Ozzy, confirmed earlier this year that negotiations with Live Nation were underway for a 2027 comeback.
The festival's origins trace to 1996, when Sharon Osbourne conceived it after failing to secure Ozzy a slot on Lollapalooza. It grew into a traveling hard rock staple across the U.S. and Europe through 2008, then appeared intermittently, with its most recent American outing at Inglewood's Forum in 2018 featuring Rob Zombie and Body Count.
The Villa Park announcement follows the emotional Back to the Beginning farewell concert in July 2025, which hosted Black Sabbath and Ozzy's final performance. Ozzy died weeks afterward. Sharon has emphasized the festival's mission of showcasing emerging talent, describing it as a summer camp for young musicians, and confirmed Live Nation negotiations earlier this year.
The return of Ozzfest could reinvigorate the hard rock festival landscape, which has seen consolidation among major promoters. For younger metal acts, it may provide a high-visibility platform that has diminished in recent years. Fans who missed the festival's heyday could experience a piece of metal history, while the U.S. edition may draw nostalgia-driven attendance. The event's success could also signal whether legacy-branded festivals remain viable in an era of shifting music consumption habits.