Ozzfest announces details of UK return for 2027 at Milton Keynes Bowl

Ozzfest, the iconic metal festival founded by Ozzy Osbourne, is slated for a significant revival in the UK with a 2027 edition at Milton Keynes Bowl. This event marks the festival’s first UK appearance since 2018 and the first following the death of Osbourne in 2025.

Initially, organizers planned to hold the festival at Birmingham’s Villa Park for 2027, but ongoing construction delays at the venue necessitated a relocation. Milton Keynes Bowl, regarded as Ozzfest's original UK home, was chosen as an alternative to postponing the event.

Sharon Osbourne, who manages the festival and is Ozzy's widow, emphasized the importance of maintaining Ozzfest as a core part of Ozzy’s legacy. She noted that the decision to move the festival was driven by practical considerations, ensuring the event would proceed without compromise.

The confirmed date for the UK show is Saturday, July 10, 2027, with tickets becoming available on November 6. This return to the National Bowl is seen as a symbolic homecoming for a festival that first launched there decades ago.

The festival’s producer and manager, Andy Copping, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating again with Sharon Osbourne and about the lineup currently being assembled. Details on the full roster have yet to be disclosed, but anticipation is building among fans eager to witness the revival of a landmark event in heavy metal history.

Ozzfest's origins trace back to 1996 when it pioneered the concept of a traveling metal festival, providing early exposure for bands that would become major acts in the genre, including Slipknot, System of a Down, and Disturbed. Over the years, the festival became a defining platform for metal and hard rock.

The last Ozzfest before the hiatus occurred on New Year’s Eve 2018 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, featuring a lineup headlined by Ozzy Osbourne and other prominent artists. At that time, financial pressures related to increasing demands from managers and agents contributed to the decision to pause the festival.

Following Ozzy’s farewell concert at Villa Park in 2025, dubbed ‘Back To The Beginning,’ the festival’s legacy has been preserved through careful planning and renewed commitment. Sharon Osbourne has maintained that the festival’s revival has Ozzy’s full blessing, underscoring the personal significance of the event.

Beyond the UK, Ozzfest is also making a comeback in North America with dates scheduled for 2026. The US edition will take place at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino on September 11, followed by a debut appearance in Mexico City at Estadio GNP Seguros on September 18, marking the festival’s expansion into new territories.

While details about the upcoming lineups and additional locations remain limited, the announcement of Ozzfest’s return signals a renewed chapter for this historic festival brand. The chosen venues and planned dates reflect a strategic effort to honor the festival’s heritage while adapting to contemporary circumstances.

In recent years, Milton Keynes Bowl has hosted other notable events, such as Yungblud’s BludFest and performances by The Prodigy, establishing the venue as a vibrant live music destination in the UK. This background adds further suitability for Ozzfest’s revival at the site.

As preparations advance, both fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how Ozzfest navigates its comeback in a changing music festival landscape, balancing nostalgia with modern festival expectations.