Black Sabbath Returns to Villa Park for ‘Back to the Beginning’ Farewell Concert………
In a momentous announcement that has sent shockwaves of excitement through the global rock community, legendary heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath have revealed plans for a final hometown performance at Villa Park, Birmingham. Titled “Back to the Beginning”, the farewell concert promises not only a celebration of the band’s iconic legacy but also a full-circle homecoming to the city where it all began.
Set to take place on September 20, 2025, the concert will mark the definitive final chapter in the band’s over 50-year saga. Fans around the world are already dubbing it a once-in-a-lifetime event.
A Fitting Farewell in the Band’s Birthplace
Villa Park, traditionally home to Aston Villa Football Club, will be transformed into a colossal open-air venue to accommodate tens of thousands of fans. For Sabbath, returning to Birmingham is more than just symbolic — it’s a spiritual homecoming. The band formed in the city in 1968, and this final show at Villa Park will bookend their journey.
Speaking on the announcement, Ozzy Osbourne said, “There’s no better place for us to say goodbye than where it all started. Birmingham gave us our start, and it’s only right we give the fans here the final bow.”
The Classic Lineup Reunited
The “Back to the Beginning” show will feature the reunion of the band’s most celebrated lineup: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and, to the surprise of many, Bill Ward — the original drummer whose absence from the band’s previous farewell tour in 2017 was widely lamented.
Sources close to the band confirm that Ward, now 77, has been actively rehearsing and is in good health. His return has reignited fan anticipation, with many hailing the full reunion as a historic moment in rock history.
An All-Star Lineup of Special Guests
In addition to the original members, the farewell show will boast a lineup of star-studded guest performers — a tribute to the band’s immense influence across generations of rock and metal artists. While the full roster is yet to be officially announced, rumored acts include Dave Grohl, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Zakk Wylde, and Ghost’s Tobias Forge. Each artist will reportedly join Sabbath on stage for select songs, making the concert as much a celebration of legacy as it is a final farewell.
A Global Event
Though the event will be held in Birmingham, its impact will be global. Promoters have confirmed that the concert will be broadcast live across major streaming platforms, with theatrical screenings planned in cinemas worldwide. Limited-edition merchandise and a documentary chronicling the lead-up to the event are also in production.
Fans are urged to prepare for ticket release day, which is expected to sell out within minutes. Pre-sale registration has already opened via the band’s official website.
Legacy Sealed
Since their formation, Black Sabbath have redefined the boundaries of rock and metal with groundbreaking albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Black Sabbath. Their thunderous riffs, dark themes, and raw power laid the groundwork for genres ranging from doom metal to grunge.
Their final performance at Villa Park will be more than a concert — it will be a monument to their lasting impact on music.
As Tony Iommi aptly put it in a statement, “It’s not just about us. It’s about the millions who’ve taken this journey with us. This show is for them.”
One last Sabbath. One final night. One unforgettable return back to the beginning.
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