Ozzfest Revival: Sharon Osbourne Aims to Bring Back Iconic Festival's Original Spirit
January 29, 2026
Ozzfest historically ran from 1996 to 2018 as a touring metal and hard rock festival that helped launch many artists and shaped the U.S. festival landscape.
The discussion is moving toward reviving Ozzfest with Live Nation, aiming to restore the festival’s original spirit of breaking new talent while maintaining its touring, multi-city format.
In addition to Ozzfest, Sharon Osbourne is developing other projects, including a classical tour pairing local orchestras with Black Sabbath material and a biopic about Ozzy.
The festival’s history includes challenges from high industry costs and management expectations that contributed to its hiatus.
Sharon has cited managers’ greed and cost-ineffectiveness as factors in Ozzfest’s decline, noting it was profitable but not a cash cow, and expenses affected sustainability.
Ozzy Osbourne, the festival’s namesake, died in 2025 at age 76 after a cardiac arrest, with his retirement show in Birmingham occurring shortly before.
The reporting cites Billboard and Blabbermouth, including attendance figures and ticket price ranges that illustrate the festival’s past scale.
She emphasizes preserving the balance between headliners and emerging acts to honor Ozzfest’s mission of breaking new talent despite historical challenges with managers’ fees.
Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, from a heart attack, with his death certificate noting contributing health conditions.
Ozzfest previously expanded internationally and last staged as a one-day event in Inglewood in 2018.
Separately, the Grammys announced an Osbourne tribute in the In Memoriam segment for February 1, featuring notable collaborators.
Sharon recalls a past incident of declining an inflated demand to illustrate cost-management considerations in running large festivals.
Summary based on 22 sources
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Sources

NME • Jan 29, 2026
Sharon Osbourne in talks to bring OzzFest back
American Songwriter • Jan 29, 2026
Sharon Osbourne Teases Possible Ozzfest Revival, Says “We Really Started Metal Festivals in This Country”
Loudwire • Jan 29, 2026
Is Ozzfest Coming Back? Sharon Osbourne Shares New Details