After years of speculation, Ozzfest is officially edging closer to making its long awaited comeback.
Speaking with Metal Hammer, Sharon Osbourne confirmed plans remain firmly on track for the legendary metal festival to return in 2027, with Birmingham’s Villa Park once again set to host the event.
The venue carries plenty of significance, having also hosted Ozzy Osbourne‘s emotional farewell performance during the star studded Back To The Beginning concert last July.
“It’s going to be at Villa Park again,” Sharon said. “Whether it’ll be two nights [in Birmingham], that’s up for the fans to tell me.”
While fans are already speculating about who could appear on the bill, Sharon isn’t revealing much just yet.
“Of course we’re speaking to people,” she said. “I can’t let that out yet, but it’ll be soon.”
Earlier this year Sharon revealed the vision is to stage two days in Birmingham before expanding to North America with another two day event, she also stressed that discovering emerging artists remains a core part of Ozzfest’s identity.
“We wanna hear from everyone where we should go in America. And also we’ve gotta find a lot of young, new talent, because that’s what [Ozzy] would want,” she previously explained.
Two locations at first
Rather than returning as a full travelling festival immediately, the 2027 edition is expected to focus on just two locations, Sharon says touring versions could return from 2028 onwards If the demand is there.
She also reflected on what separated Ozzfest from countless other heavy music festivals:
“It was more fun. When you go to other festivals, everybody’s so uptight. But that was always the thing about our festival. There was never anybody jockeying for position or thought they were better than anyone else. It was a summer camp.”
Sharon even dropped a subtle hint about a possible future appearance from Judas Priest, adding she wants “to see Rob Halford there.”
Originally launched three decades ago, Ozzfest became one of heavy music’s most influential festivals, helping launch countless bands while giving established acts a massive platform, its last event was held on New Year’s Eve in 2018, before Ozzy’s health brought plans to a halt.
With artist discussions now underway and an announcement promised “soon”, anticipation is already building for one of metal’s biggest festival comebacks.
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