Black Sabbath Declares 2025 “Back to the Beginning” World Farewell Tour! Dates and cities revealed.
Legendary heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—have announced a farewell world tour in 2025, titled “Back to the Beginning”. The tour is set to culminate in a final milestone concert in their hometown of Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park (blacksabbath.com, ozzy.com).
Tour Dates & Cities: A Global Goodbye
While the Birmingham show remains the emotional heart of the farewell, a full tour schedule is being rolled out across continents:
- North America: Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Dallas will host stadium dates from May through June. A full lineup and pricing tiers are expected to be revealed soon .
- Europe & UK: Following North American dates, stops include London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, leading up to the climactic homecoming concert at Villa Park on July 5 .
- Other regions: Talks are underway for spring concerts in South America, Australia, and Japan, marking a global farewell befitting the band’s impact.
❤️ The Final Show in Birmingham: A Full-Circle Moment
The ultimate concert—dubbed “Back to the Beginning”—takes place in Birmingham, the birthplace of Black Sabbath, bringing the founding lineup together for their first live performance in 20 years (elpais.com, ozzy.com). Ozzy hinted it will be his final appearance with the band, stating:
“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning … time for me to give back to the place where I was born” (nypost.com, ozzy.com).
The show will feature:
- A solo set by Ozzy Osbourne, followed by a full Black Sabbath performance (black-sabbath.com).
- An all-star supporting lineup including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Tool, Gojira, Guns N’ Roses, and Mastodon, curated by musical director Tom Morello (ozzy.com).
- A star-studded supergroup featuring Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, Jonathan Davis, K.K. Downing, Wolfgang Van Halen, and more (ozzy.com).
Questions arose as Wolfgang Van Halen later withdrew due to scheduling conflicts with his band’s tour, but the show maintains a stacked lineup (thesun.co.uk). Ozzy may perform seated due to Parkinson’s-related mobility challenges—even a “throne” has been proposed (people.com).
Tickets & Charity
Tickets go on sale February 14, 2025, at 10 am GMT via Live Nation (ozzy.com). Pricing ranges from general admission to premium VIP tiers, and tickets sold out in 16 minutes for the Birmingham show (en.wikipedia.org).
All proceeds support Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, reflecting the band’s community commitment (ozzy.com).
️ Band Perspectives
Ozzy, who disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, has called this his “full stop,” expressing gratitude and pride for ending at home . Tony Iommi emphasized how fitting it is to close the Sabbath saga in the city that started it all (elpais.com).
Black Sabbath’s legacy spans over five decades, selling 75 million albums and solidifying metal’s roots. This farewell serves as both celebration and closure (nypost.com).
Production & Global Broadcast
The show will run over 12 hours, featuring a revolving stage for smooth transitions and global livestream coverage via pay-per-view (en.wikipedia.org). Jason Momoa is set to host the massive event (en.wikipedia.org). Fans worldwide can expect an immersive, on-demand experience covering performances and behind-the-scenes moments.
Fan Reaction & Cultural Significance
Fans are torn between awe, sorrow, and celebration. Internet forums erupted with emotional anticipation — the return of the original lineup after two decades is historic . Reuters hailed it as a once-in-a-lifetime event for both the band and global metal community (en.wikipedia.org).
Critics note the careful design of the farewell: intimate hometown concert, full arena run, curated roster, charity focus, and worldwide access through livestream—this is Sabbath’s ultimate bow.
✅ Closing Words
Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” 2025 world tour is more than a series of shows—it’s a monumental farewell from the architects of heavy metal. Anchored by the final homecoming performance in Birmingham on July 5, the tour spans major cities across North America, Europe, and beyond. It promises epic performances, legendary guests, charitable impact, and deeply emotional resonance.
For longtime fans and live music lovers everywhere, this tour is the closing chapter of a defining musical legacy. Black Sabbath is set to leave the stage—not with a whisper, but with a thunderous final road
