Ozzfest Without Ozzy? The Legendary Metal Festival Returns in 2027
For the first time in its history, Ozzfest is returning without the Prince of Darkness. But according to Sharon Osbourne, it's a future Ozzy himself had already considered.
After nearly nine years away, Ozzfest is officially returning in 2027, with three events scheduled across the United Kingdom, United States, and Mexico. The announcement, made November 5, 2026, marks a significant new chapter for the festival founded by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne in 1996. It will also be the first Ozzfest since Ozzy's passing on July 22, 2025.
Where and When Is Ozzfest Returning?
Rather than bringing back the extensive traveling tour of its early years, organizers have confirmed three standalone festival dates:
- July 10, 2027: The National Bowl — Milton Keynes, England
- September 11, 2027: Glen Helen Amphitheater — San Bernardino, California
- September 18, 2027: Estadio GNP Seguros — Mexico City, Mexico
The Mexico City event will mark Ozzfest's first appearance in the country. Live Nation is promoting the events, while Sharon Osbourne will oversee the lineup selection. No artists have been officially announced yet. Full lineups are expected in the coming months.
A Festival That Helped Shape Heavy Music
Ozzfest began in 1996 after Ozzy was reportedly rejected for a spot on Lollapalooza. Instead of abandoning the idea, Ozzy and Sharon launched their own festival.
What began with events in Arizona and California eventually became one of heavy music's most influential touring festivals. Over the years, Ozzfest featured artists including Black Sabbath, Slayer, Pantera, Slipknot, System of a Down, Korn, and Disturbed. It wasn't simply about established headliners. The festival also gave emerging metal bands the opportunity to perform in front of enormous audiences.
Sharon recalled that atmosphere in a 2026 interview:
"It was like summer camp for kids."
The last Ozzfest took place on December 31, 2018, at The Forum in Los Angeles, with Ozzy headlining alongside Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Jonathan Davis, and Body Count.
Did Ozzy Want Ozzfest to Continue Without Him?
This is perhaps the most interesting part of the announcement. Speaking at the MIDEM music conference in February 2026, Sharon revealed that she and Ozzy had discussed the festival's future before his death.
She recalled Ozzy asking:
"Do you think Ozzfest would work without me?"
Sharon said she believed the festival had become an established brand capable of continuing independently.
According to her recollection, Ozzy responded:
"We should do it."
Those conversations offer important context for the festival's return. In the official November announcement, Sharon also emphasized the connection to her late husband's legacy:
"Ozzfest will always remain an important part of Ozzy's legacy."
What Will Ozzfest Look Like in 2027?
Although the dates and venues are confirmed, several questions remain unanswered. Who will headline? Will the festival feature tributes to Ozzy? And how closely will its lineup resemble the Ozzfest of the 1990s and 2000s?
Jack Osbourne has indicated that emerging artists will remain part of the festival's identity, potentially including an unsigned band. Sharon has also discussed the possibility of expanding the festival again in 2028, depending on demand.
For now, however, those plans remain possibilities rather than confirmed events.
A New Chapter for Ozzfest
Thirty years after its creation, Ozzfest is preparing for a return under very different circumstances. Its founder will no longer be there to headline, but the festival's name, history, and connection to generations of metal fans remain.
Whether the 2027 events become the beginning of a new era or a limited celebration of Ozzfest's legacy remains to be seen. One thing is certain, Ozzfest is coming back, and for the first time, the festival will have to define its future without Ozzy onstage.
What do you think? Can Ozzfest carry on without Ozzy, or was he an essential part of what made it special?
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