Outrage Over High Ticket Prices for Ozzy Osbourne's Farewell Show

2025-03-01

Black Sabbath fans have expressed outrage over the high ticket prices for Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show, set to take place at Villa Park in Birmingham on 5 July. The event, featuring the original Black Sabbath lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—will mark the band’s first performance together in 20 years. The all-day concert will also include performances by legendary metal acts such as Metallica, Slayer, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and Lamb of God, as well as a “supergroup” performance with members of Limp Bizkit, Van Halen, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Faith No More.

Pre-sale tickets, which went on sale on Tuesday (11 February), ranged from £197.50 to £834, sparking widespread criticism on social media. Fans shared screenshots of their attempts to purchase tickets, with some expressing disbelief at the prices. One fan lamented paying £487.50 for a seated ticket, while another criticised the £420 price tag for non-VIP “nosebleed” seats. A particularly shocking example was a £2,932.50 ticket for the Gold Circle with an “Ultimate Side of Stage Experience.”

Despite the backlash, some fans managed to secure tickets and expressed their excitement, albeit with reservations about the cost. One fan paid £412.50 for accessible tickets, acknowledging the steep price but stating they “couldn’t miss out.” All profits from the event will be donated equally to three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

The controversy comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Ticketmaster’s pricing practices. Last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the company over allegations of “dynamic pricing” during major tours, such as those for Taylor Swift and Oasis. Ticketmaster has denied these claims, stating that prices are set in advance by event organisers and do not change during the buying process.