Sharon Osbourne Confirms Plans to Revive Ozzfest Following Ozzy Osbourne’s Death

Sharon Osbourne has confirmed that Ozzfest will return after nearly a decade-long hiatus, saying the late Ozzy Osbourne supported the idea of continuing the festival before his death.

Speaking at the MIDEM 2026 conference in Cannes, France, Osbourne said the revival is “absolutely” happening. The last edition of Ozzfest took place in 2018 at the Forum in Los Angeles, shortly before Ozzy’s health declined. According to Sharon, there were no plans to permanently end the festival at that time.

She recalled conversations with Ozzy in which he questioned whether Ozzfest could succeed without him at the center. Sharon said she assured him the event had evolved into a recognizable brand capable of standing on its own. “It’s a brand,” she said, recounting their discussions. “It will work without you.” She added that Ozzy ultimately agreed the festival should continue.

Founded in 1996, Ozzfest became a defining touring platform for heavy metal and hard rock acts across North America. Over its two-decade run, it featured performances from bands including Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, and System of a Down, among many others. The festival played a significant role in introducing newer acts to mainstream audiences while reinforcing Ozzy’s influence as a central figure in modern metal culture.

The 2018 installment was staged as a single-location event at the Forum rather than a full touring run. That lineup included Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Jonathan Davis, and Marilyn Manson. Shortly afterward, Ozzy began experiencing serious health complications that sidelined him from touring.

Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, from cardiac arrest and coronary artery disease. Before his death, he delivered a final hometown performance titled “Back to the Beginning” at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, joined by members of Black Sabbath. The concert served as a farewell to fans in the city where the band formed and helped define the heavy metal genre.

Sharon Osbourne indicated that the revived Ozzfest will remain rooted in heavy metal and hard rock but may expand to include additional genres. She also suggested the event could return as a traveling festival rather than a single-city show, potentially restoring it to its original touring format.

While specific dates, locations, and lineups have not yet been announced, Osbourne’s comments signal a renewed commitment to preserving the Ozzfest legacy. If realized, the festival’s return would mark its first edition since 2018 and the first without Ozzy Osbourne as a performer.

The revival positions Ozzfest not only as a tribute to its founder but also as a continuation of a brand that helped shape the live metal touring circuit for more than two decades.