Those wacky Osbournes have done it again. The bat-biting heavy-metaler and his business-savvy former talk-show host wife made a groundbreaking announcement yesterday that tickets for this year's OZZFEST will cost-- nothing.

Ozzy, Sharon and tour producer LIVE NATION broke the news at the Concert Industry Consortium in Los Angeles that their 12th annual hard rock spectacular--a 25-date extravaganza launching July 7 in Los Angeles-- will be free to fans who download tickets from sponsor sites.

"For the last few years," said Sharon, "ticket prices have steadily climbed as artists demand more and more money for summer tours. We certainly want everybody to make money, however we also want the kids to be able to afford to come out and have an incredible experience. If we continued with the traditional touring festival model, we would have no choice but to raise ticket prices again this year."

Instead, Ozzfest and Live Nation are turning to sponsors to provide added support for the festival's new incarnation. The promoters say that the summer's Ozzfest will provide select sponsors with a unique opportunity to engage fans one-on-one utilizing one of music's best known brands.

To gain entry into the event, fans will go to www.ozzfest.com or www.livenation.com to find links that will direct them to special sponsor sites where tickets can be secured. More details regarding the process are forthcoming.

The Oz man himself will headline the event. No other bands have yet been announced.