More than five million fans globally tuned in for the livestream of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne took their last bow.
Black Sabbath’s farewell show in Birmingham has gone down as one of the biggest moments in metal history, with over five million people tuning in around the world to witness Back to the Beginning. Held at Villa Park on Saturday, the event marked the band’s final live appearance and was streamed globally in what may be the most-watched metal performance to date.
According to The Guardian, the livestream reached more than five million viewers, a figure that likely doesn’t include unofficial streams, reuploads, and the many massive watch parties around the globe. Over 40,000 fans were present at the stadium itself, bearing witness to a massive, multi-generational lineup that featured Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, and Anthrax, along with supergroup tributes to Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career.
Hosted by actor and lifelong metal fan Jason Momoa, the show was a monumental send-off for Black Sabbath, but it was also a major fundraising effort. Livestream tickets started at $29.99, with all proceeds directed toward Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a facility supported by Aston Villa. With premium viewing packages also on offer and ticket sales from the in-person show added in, the total raised for charity is expected to be massive.
Here’s the full lineup from the day:
- Black Sabbath
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Metallica
- Guns N’ Roses
- Slayer
- Pantera
- Tool
- Alice in Chains
- Gojira
- Lamb of God
- Anthrax
- Halestorm
- Mastodon
- Rival Sons
- Supergroup A featuring: Tom Morello, Sleep Token’s II, Nuno Bettencourt, Jake E. Lee, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, Lizzy Hale, Adam Wakeman, David Draiman, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Whitfield Crane, & Yungblud
- Supergroup B featuring: Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Sammy Hagar, Rudy Sarzo, Adam Jones, K.K. Downing, Nuno Bettencourt, Vernon Reid, Adam Wakeman, Steven Tyler, Chad Smith, Ronnie Wood & Andrew Watt
- Drum-Off featuring: Travis Barker, Chad Smith, Tom Morello, Danny Carey, Rudy Sarzo & Nuno Bettencourt
Back to the Beginning was a cultural event that united generations of fans in celebration of the band’s roots, impact, and enduring relevance. It was a rare moment where metal dominated the global stage, and Black Sabbath made sure it counted.