Take A Look Back At The One Time Ozzfest Came To Saratoga

Ozzfest is back! Earlier this week Sharon Osbourne announced the return of the all-day gathering of black t-shirts, camouflage cargo shorts and the best Metal bands 2026 has to offer.

For now the only date scheduled for the United States is Saturday September 11, 2027 at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernadino, California. Will there be more dates in the States? More importantly will Ozzfest return to the Capitol Region? While we wait, here is a look back to the only time Ozzfest hit Saratoga.

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The very first Ozzfest took place in 1996 and featured Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Sepultura, Fear Factory, Biohazard, Neurosis, Powerman 5000, and Coal Chamber. Just 4 years later the tour would roll into Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for the one and only time.

Wednesday July 26, 2000 was a partly cloudy and surprisingly cool, day in Saratoga Springs, with a high of only 72 degrees. Perfect weather for the 'rain or shine' event. Were you there?

George De Sota, Getty Images

Tickets for Ozzfest at SPAC ranged from $32.50 for the lawn to $72.50 for the best seat in the house. Here are some of the artists:

• MAIN STAGE: Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Godsmack, Static-X, Incubus, Method of Mayhem, P.O.D., and Queens of the Stone Age
• SECOND STAGE: Disturbed, Kittie, Taproot, Reveille, Soulfly

George De Sota, Getty Images

Sadly a few of the artists that performed that day are no longer with us:

• Ozzy Osbourne - Passed away on July 22, 2025
• Dimebag Darrell of Pantera - Passed away on December 8, 2004
• Vinnie Paul of Pantera - Passed away on June 22, 2018
• Wayne Static of Static-X - Passed away on November 1, 2014