Black Sabbath’s farewell show tickets went on sale this morning (February 14), prompting a frenzy among fans eager to secure their spots.
Massive Demand for Final Show in Birmingham
The legendary heavy metal band is set to perform one last time at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. Tickets, priced between £197.50 and £834 (including fees) with an additional £2.75 handling charge, became available to the general public at 10 AM GMT following a series of pre-sales throughout the week.
As fans rushed to secure their seats, many encountered Ticketmaster’s infamous online queuing system. One frustrated user found themselves as number 128,531 in the queue, while another, initially at 75,000, later reported still being stuck at 62,000.
At 10:20 AM, Ticketmaster flagged ticket availability as “limited,” with some fans experiencing random jumps in queue positions. “I jumped to 5,000 but haven’t moved in a while. I’m shaking!” one user shared. Others remained stuck, with some noting over 100,000 people ahead of them.
Tickets Sell Out Fast – Fans Express Frustration and Joy
As expected, tickets sold out rapidly, leaving many disappointed. One user, who reached position 8,000 in the queue, was shocked to find tickets already “limited.” By 11:15 AM, another user reported that all tickets were gone, sharing a video of an empty seating chart with just one unbookable seat.
Despite the chaos, some fans were successful. “I CAN’T BREATHE!” exclaimed one ecstatic user, whose girlfriend managed to secure tickets after he failed in multiple pre-sales. Another fan called themselves “one of the lucky ones,” expressing gratitude for witnessing one of the biggest metal concerts of all time.
Facebook users also shared their experiences. “I clicked on a random seat priced at £170, didn’t think twice, and managed to buy it. Feeling incredibly lucky today!” one person wrote. Others noted shorter queue times, with some managing to purchase tickets after being placed just a few thousand positions behind.
Backlash Over High Ticket Prices
While many celebrated their success, others criticized the high ticket prices. Although proceeds will be divided among Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, some felt the prices were excessive.
“Waiting over an hour in the queue only to find tickets priced at £2,100 each is insane,” one user lamented. Another fan called it “daylight robbery,” saying they had already booked other gigs instead. Others pointed out that, despite being for charity, a significant portion of the revenue would still go to Ticketmaster and Aston Villa for hosting the event.
Some fans labeled the pricing “a joke,” with one remarking, “Golden circle tickets cost £400, VIP golden circle £3,000, and even back seats requiring binoculars are £600-£700!” However, some remained determined: “I AM willing to pay! Just let me in!”
Scammers and Secondary Market Concerns
Scammers have already flooded X/Twitter with fake “spare ticket” offers. Black Sabbath has yet to confirm whether the concert is officially sold out.
Star-Studded Line-Up for ‘Back To The Beginning’
The event, titled ‘Back To The Beginning’, will see Black Sabbath’s classic lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reunite for the first time in two decades. Joining them on stage will be Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Tom Morello, Alice In Chains, Gojira, Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Slash and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), and KoRn.
Tom Morello will also serve as the show’s musical director, ensuring a seamless experience for fans.
Sharon Osbourne on Ozzy’s Emotional Farewell
Speaking at Villa Park last week, Sharon Osbourne revealed that Ozzy is “doing great” and feeling “very emotional” about the band’s final performance.
“He wants to say thank you to the fans. He didn’t get the chance before due to his illness, but now he does,” she explained.
Sharon emphasized that ‘Back To The Beginning’ is about celebrating Black Sabbath’s legacy, rather than promoting new music. “At a certain point in your career, you realize you can’t outdo your past. We’re proud that our old music still resonates,” she stated.
She also described the show as a historic gathering of metal legends, imagining the final group photo as “one for the history books.” Sharon praised Morello’s involvement, noting his deep appreciation for Sabbath and his dedication to curating the perfect musical experience.
As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await what promises to be a monumental farewell for one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history.