In a move that has electrified the world of rock and metal, Black Sabbath has officially announced their 2026 Farewell Tour, aptly titled “Shadow Requiem.” Featuring the legendary surviving members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler, the tour is being hailed as a thunderous final pilgrimage—a closing chapter in the saga of one of heavy metal’s most influential and mythic bands. Fans across the globe are already calling it a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The announcement dropped early this morning via a dramatic teaser video featuring gothic visuals, shadowy ruins, and a slowed-down version of “Black Sabbath,” the song that started it all. Ozzy’s voice echoes over the visuals: “One last march… into the dark.” The video ends with tour dates flashing across the screen, confirming what diehards had hoped for: a full international sweep beginning in September 2026.
Spanning 16 cities across North America and Europe, the Shadow Requiem Tour will open in Birmingham, England—the band’s hometown—and wrap in Los Angeles, where Sabbath first broke through the U.S. market in the 1970s. Stops include London, Berlin, Milan, New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Tokyo. Each show promises to be a carefully curated homage to Sabbath’s grim and groundbreaking legacy.
Ozzy Osbourne, now 77 and long considered the “Prince of Darkness,” has stated that this tour is “not about goodbyes… it’s about giving the fans the full Sabbath experience one last bloody time.” Despite past health scares and retirement talk, Ozzy appears reinvigorated and ready to embrace the stage once more—this time with a mission to leave behind an unforgettable echo of the Sabbath spirit.
Tony Iommi, the mastermind guitarist whose riffs birthed an entire genre, spoke candidly in a press release: “This is our last chapter—one we’re writing with fire, riffs, and raw emotion. We owe it to the music, and we owe it to our fans.” Iommi also confirmed that several rare tracks and deep cuts will make it into the setlist, alongside classics like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs.”
Geezer Butler, the band’s philosophical bass player and lyricist, reflected on the emotional weight of the tour: “We’ve walked through fire together—loss, illness, madness, and triumph. This tour is not just a farewell. It’s a requiem. A way to honor the darkness that shaped us, and the light the fans always gave us back.”
What sets Shadow Requiem apart is its visual and thematic ambition. The tour will reportedly feature a haunting stage design inspired by medieval cathedrals, occult symbolism, and apocalyptic landscapes. Each show will unfold like a theatrical journey through the band’s four-decade evolution—from doom-laden anthems to psychedelic experiments and industrial nightmares.
Behind the scenes, Sharon Osbourne is said to be helping produce the tour alongside Live Nation, ensuring top-tier production and global streaming availability for select dates. A documentary crew will also accompany the band throughout the tour, capturing both the spectacle and the intimate moments that define this swan song.
For diehard fans, this farewell tour is bittersweet. Black Sabbath has long stood as more than just a band—they are the architects of metal, the dark poets of rock, and the sound of rebellion for generations. To see Ozzy, Iommi, and Butler share the stage once more is not just historic—it’s sacred.
The official pre-sale opens July 15, 2025, with general ticket sales launching July 19th. VIP experiences and collector’s edition merchandise—including signed vinyl box sets and vintage tour artwork—will be available exclusively through the band’s website. Based on early fan reaction, tickets are expected to sell out in record time.
Younger fans who never had the chance to see Sabbath live are calling the Shadow Requiem Tour their only shot to witness the legends in full force. Older fans are preparing to pass the torch to the next generation—while soaking up the crushing riffs one last time.
As the curtain prepares to fall on this dark, epic legacy, one thing is certain: Black Sabbath’s influence will echo through the halls of music forever. Shadow Requiem isn’t just a tour. It’s a closing spell—a final bow from the gods of metal.
