NEWS
Milton Keynes is set to emerge as a leading hub for live music and large scale entertainment after the confirmation of a landmark £76 million investment in a brand new multi purpose events venue. The Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has confirmed ATG Entertainment, a major global force in live theatre and music, as its chosen partner to run the venue.
A New Chapter for the City Center
The new venue is planned for the Old Bus Station site on Elder Gate and will have a capacity of 4,000. It is intended to fill a clear gap in the city’s cultural offering. Milton Keynes Theatre has played a central role in the area since 1999, but its scale restricts the range of productions and performances it can host. The new venue will open the door to major concert tours, high profile comedy shows and large live productions, with more than 100 headline events expected each year.
Positioned in a key part of the city, the development will sit alongside the refreshed Station Square and the new £150 million Unity Place. It is expected to draw over 300,000 visitors annually and further establish Milton Keynes as a major cultural destination within the region.
Economic and Community Impact
Away from the performances themselves, the venue is projected to deliver major benefits for the local economy. Current estimates suggest it will generate
£158 million in combined economic and community value.
Around 70 new jobs across a range of roles.
A notable increase in city center footfall that will support local bars, restaurants and retailers.
Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP, described the scheme as a “world class events venue” that aligns with ambitions for a “lively and inclusive city center.” Nick Potter, COO of ATG Entertainment, said the city’s “expanding population and strong appetite for culture” make it a natural choice for this kind of development.
Next Steps and Opening Date
The formal planning process is expected to get underway later in 2026 and will include a public consultation, giving residents the opportunity to contribute to the final plans. Subject to approvals and construction, the venue is currently scheduled to open its doors in 2029.
NEWS
Sharon Osbourne has revealed she is holding early discussions about bringing Ozzfest back in 2027 as a tribute to her late husband Ozzy Osbourne.
The iconic metal festival was last staged as a full standalone event in 2018, followed by a one off New Year’s Eve show in 2019. Sharon now feels interest in a proper return is stronger than ever and says initial talks are already underway with Live Nation. Her vision is for a comeback that is larger in scale, more inclusive in sound and truly international in reach.
Speaking to Billboard, she said: “It was something Ozzy was very passionate about: giving young talent a stage in front of a lot of people. We really started metal festivals in this country. It was [replicated but] never done with the spirit of what ours was, because ours was a place for new talent. It was like summer camp for kids.”
Sharon has also made it clear she wants the festival to grow with its audience, suggesting the next version of Ozzfest could reflect modern listening habits by opening the door to a wider range of sounds beyond traditional metal.
She later added: “I’d like to mix up the genres.”
Should the plans come together, Ozzfest would once again travel internationally, recalling its late nineties and early two thousands peak when it became both a launching pad for emerging bands and a major platform for established heavy acts.
In an earlier episode of The Osbournes Podcast, Ozzy, who died in July 2025 aged 76, asked whether the festival could ever return. Sharon responded without hesitation: "Yeah, sure. Of course."
Their daughter Kelly then raised the issue of rising booking fees, suggesting that managers need to be more realistic when negotiating festival appearances.
Sharon responded: "Why is it when it comes to us that everybody thinks that we are trillionaires, and so that every manager who wants their band on our festival wants one of the trillions they think we’ve got to put on the festival?”
Ozzfest was originally founded by Ozzy and Sharon in 1996, at a time when she was also managing the Black Sabbath frontman, and began life as a two day event.
A year later, the festival expanded into a touring format, although by the time it returned in 2018 it had been scaled back to a single night at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
That final edition featured Ozzy at the top of the bill alongside artists such as Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Korn’s Jonathan Davis.
