Sharon Osbourne has once again spoken about the future of Ozzfest, confirming that plans are in motion for the legendary festival’s return in 2027. During a February 6 appearance at MIDEM 2026 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (Cannes, France), she addressed the festival’s history and future.
“Yes, absolutely. Yeah, we’re gonna do it,” she said. Reflecting on the last edition in 2018, she added, “Well, the last one we did was 2018. It was just a month before Ozzy got sick, and that was at the Forum in L.A. And there was no plans to stop it. We were still gonna do it, but Ozzy couldn’t.”
Sharon also recalled conversations with her late husband about the festival’s future. “And Ozzy and I would talk about it, and he’d say, ‘Do you think Ozzfest would work without me?’ And I’m, like, ‘Yeah, it’s a brand. It will work without you.’ And he said, ‘We should do it.'”
Earlier comments from Sharon have hinted at a refreshed vision for Ozzfest, including the possibility of mixing genres while staying true to the festival’s roots of showcasing emerging talent. She previously told Billboard, “I’ve been talking to Live Nation about bringing [Ozzfest] back recently. It was something Ozzy was very passionate about: giving young talent a stage in front of a lot of people. We really started metal festivals in this country. It was [replicated but] never done with the spirit of what ours was, because ours was a place for new talent. It was like summer camp for kids.”
Ozzfest, which ran almost annually from 1996 to 2018, became a cornerstone of the heavy metal and hard rock scene in the U.S., Europe, and later Japan. Originally, the festival debuted as a two-day event in Phoenix, Arizona, and Devore, California, on October 25 and 26, 1996. Over the years, it grew into a touring festival, featuring some of the biggest names in metal alongside emerging acts.
In addition to the potential festival revival, Sharon revealed she is collaborating with Live Nation on another ambitious project: a classical tour of BLACK SABBATH’s catalog, performed by local orchestras and accompanied by cutting-edge visuals.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, from a heart attack, according to his death certificate, which also noted coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.
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