Black Sabbath are set to take the stage one last time with all four of the bands original 1968 lineup involved. The metal pioneers will perform at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club, alongside numerous special guests, celebrating the legacy of the Birmingham band.
The event, named ‘Back to the Beginning’, will take place Saturday 5 July, with Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reuniting for the first time in two decades.
Sabbath originally said goodbye to fans with their The End tour in 2016-17, ending it with one last show in their native Birmingham at the Genting Arena (since renamed Bp pulse LIVE). Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2020, Osbourne said: “The only thing I do regret is not doing the last farewell show in Birmingham with Bill Ward. I felt really bad about that. It would have been so nice.”
The one-off reunion comes as Osbourne battles Parkinson’s disease, which the singer was diagnosed with in 2019, and publicly announced in 2020. Osbourne’s last live performance came in 2022 when he opened up the NFL season with a seven-minute set.
Speaking on US radio station SiriusXM, The Prince of Darkness said: “I have made it to 2025. I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive.” His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne reassured fans in an exclusive interview with The Sun, saying, “It affects different parts of the body, and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
Villa Park holds a special significance for the band. Osbourne, Iommi and Butler are all lifelong Aston Villa supporters. The club recently honoured the band’s frontman with a giant tifo in January’s home fixture against Scottish team Celtic in the Champions League.
Fans have speculated about a potential Black Sabbath show at Villa Park, with one Reddit user posting in 2021, “It’s been my dream gig for quite a few years, Black Sabbath returning to Aston to headline Villa Park.” With Ward returning for their last show, fans will be rushing to get tickets for this huge occasion.
Black Sabbath at Villa Park – a dream.
byu/SmellsLikeBigCheese inavfc
The supporting lineup would be festival-worthy by itself, with Metallica, Slipknot, and Judas Priest among the acts set to descend upon the Midlands. Metallica took to X, posting, “Our admiration for Black Sabbath runs deep, and we can’t wait to join them in Birmingham.” Another group on the bill, Alice In Chains, called it an “honour” to play alongside Black Sabbath.
Our admiration for @BlackSabbath runs deep, and we can’t wait to join them in Birmingham, England, on July 5 for Back to the Beginning: The Final Show! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14, at 10 AM GMT / 5 AM EST / 2 AM PST. pic.twitter.com/h7DuP9xZ9C
— Metallica (@Metallica) February 5, 2025
Tickets have been a hot topic, with plenty of fans guessing at prices for standing and seating. Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, leading some fans to speculate on whether the event will feature dynamic pricing or not.
Proceeds from the event will support Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, stated, “The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping to support vital research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s – a cure that is so urgently needed.”
Acorns CEO Trevor Johnson also took to social media to express his thanks, saying, “On behalf of everyone at Acorns, and the children and families we support, our deepest thanks to Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and all the fans attending Back to the Beginning… Your kindness will help to ensure children and families facing unimaginable journeys are never alone.”
Black Sabbath’s last show is shaping up to be a historic moment for music as a whole. For the fans, it is a chance to give the Godfathers of Heavy Metal a fitting send off just months after they were each honoured with the Freedom of Birmingham, as well as raising funds for some fitting causes.
Tickets go on general sale Friday 14 February, and can be found here.
