Ozzy’s farewell in Birmingham drew 42,000 fans and raised $45m before his sudden death

Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert has been confirmed to have raised more than $45 million, marking the end of an era for one of rock’s most notorious and beloved figures.

Held at Villa Park in Birmingham, the “Back To The Beginning” farewell brought together 42,000 fans and featured a lineup of heavy metal royalty. According to BBC News, the event generated £33.8 million (around $45.5 million), with a large portion — £27.6 million — retained in the West Midlands region.

Dr Matt Lyons of the University of Birmingham, who led the economic analysis, described the impact as far-reaching. “Ozzy is a global legend, and his gift of incredible music, and now his final economic impact, will go on to benefit his home city far into the future,” he said.

Ticket sales alone painted a picture of global devotion. Fans from across the world made up 20% of attendees, with prices ranging from £197.50 to £834. The demand underscored Osbourne’s enduring influence, decades after he first emerged as Black Sabbath’s frontman.

The concert itself was a spectacle. Osbourne performed a five-song solo set, including “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” while seated on a black throne. His voice, though weathered by age and illness, carried with it a palpable emotion. He later reunited with original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for four classics: “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and the immortal “Paranoid.”

Before fireworks erupted above the stadium, Ozzy thanked fans in what would become his last public farewell: “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Yet alongside the celebration, controversy brewed over inflated reports of the event’s financial success. Some outlets, including Billboard and The Guardian, suggested that the concert had generated as much as $190 million, largely through livestream revenue. Rumours also circulated that the funds would be split between Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson’s.

Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and longtime manager, dismissed these figures as “ridiculous” in an interview with Pollstar. “It’s just not the real world,” she said. “I went online and saw $140 million, $160 million — where does this stuff come from? We wish it were true, but one gig can’t bring in those numbers.” She added that while the exact donation totals would take weeks to finalise, the event had been a “phenomenal success.”

In addition to ticket sales, fans also contributed through auctions of Black Sabbath memorabilia and artwork, as well as online donations during the livestream. Early estimates suggested tens of thousands of pounds were raised on top of the concert revenue, providing significant support to the selected charities.

The emotional weight of the event deepened just days later. On July 22, Osbourne died of a heart attack at the age of 76. His death certificate listed coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s as underlying conditions.

For fans, the timing was cruel. “Back To The Beginning” had offered closure, but his sudden passing cemented the concert as more than just a retirement party. It became a final chapter — a farewell etched into rock history.

From his chaotic antics and reality television fame to his decades of groundbreaking music, Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind a legacy as unpredictable as it was influential. His final gift was not only a performance that fans will never forget but also millions in economic and charitable impact for his hometown.

As the lights dimmed at Villa Park and fireworks painted the Birmingham sky, one message flashed on the stadium screen: “Thank you for everything. Birmingham Forever.”

For many, it felt less like a goodbye and more like a promise — that the Prince of Darkness’ shadow will linger over heavy metal for generations to come.