🚨 Breaking: Metallica has announced their 2026 global tour, including all of the cities and dates! As metal legends perform across continents, expect an incredible year filled with unforgettable performances.

Metallica Unleashes 2026 Global Tour: Full Dates & Cities Revealed

 

Brace yourselves, metalheads — legendary heavy-metal outfit Metallica has announced they will bring their massive ­M72 World Tour into 2026 with a sweeping European stadium leg, complete with major support acts and a fully immersive production experience.

 

🎤 What’s the scope of the tour?

 

The tour is part of the band’s ongoing “M72” cycle (in support of their 2023 album 72 Seasons) and takes the band back to Europe in spring/summer 2026.

 

The run kicks off May 9, 2026 in Athens, Greece.

 

It wraps up with a two-night finale on July 3 & 5, 2026 in London, UK.

 

Some cities will host the band for two consecutive nights — the band’s trademark “No Repeat Weekend”, meaning two different set-lists and two separate support line-ups.

 

Other locations are one-night-only shows.

 

 

📅 Full date & city breakdown

 

Here are the confirmed stops so far:

One-Night Only Shows

 

May 9 – Athens, Greece (Olympic Stadium)

 

May 13 – Bucharest, Romania (Arena Națională)

 

May 19 – Chorzów, Poland (Stadion Śląski)

 

May 27 – Zürich, Switzerland (Stadion Letzigrund)

 

May 30 – Berlin, Germany (Olympiastadion)

 

June 3 – Bologna, Italy (Stadio Renato Dall’Ara)

 

June 25 – Glasgow, Scotland (Hampden Park)

 

June 28 – Cardiff, Wales (Principality Stadium)

 

 

No Repeat Weekend (“Two‐Night”) Shows

 

May 22 & 24 – Frankfurt, Germany (Deutsche Bank Park)

 

June 11 & 13 – Budapest, Hungary (Puskás Aréna)

 

June 19 & 21 – Dublin, Ireland (Aviva Stadium)

 

July 3 & 5 – London, UK (London Stadium)

 

 

🤘 Support acts & production highlights

 

Opening bands across the run include Gojira and Knocked Loose for many of the one-night stops, and for the No Repeat Weekends the pairings shift to include Pantera and Avatar.

 

The production will continue the in-the-round stadium setup with the “Snake Pit” stage in the centre so audiences get a 360° view of the band.

 

Tickets for general sale begin May 30, 2025 (with fan-club presale from May 27).

 

 

🌍 Why this matters

 

1. Metallica back in full stadium mode – After several years of changing formats (including pandemic-affected touring), seeing Metallica return to full international stadiums with a massive production is major.

 

 

2. Unique set-ups – The No Repeat Weekend format is a big draw for fans: two nights in one city with different set-lists and support acts. It’s designed for die-hards who want to attend both nights.

 

 

3. Global reach – The tour hits several countries that Metallica hasn’t performed in recently, bringing the band to fresh audiences while also returning to key markets.

 

 

4. Support for heavy music & variety – With support acts spanning from Gojira’s progressive-metal one moment to Pantera’s thrash legacy the next, the tour underscores Metallica’s continuing relevance and role in the heavy-music ecosystem.

 

 

5. Fans have to plan ahead – With huge demand expected (stadiums + heavy production + major acts), early ticket buys, travel, accommodation and possibly VIP packages (Snake Pit, meet-&-greets) will be key for fans especially outside North America.

 

 

 

🔮 Looking ahead & note-worthy points

 

While the European leg is set from May to July 2026, it’s possible more dates (other continents) will be announced later – this appears to be the “spring/summer Europe” leg.

 

Fans based in locations outside Europe (Africa, Latin America, Asia, etc.) should monitor for potential further legs or festival appearances.

 

Given the scale of this tour and high expectations, ticketing logistics (presales, geographies, packages) will likely be complex — best to follow the band’s official channels and trusted ticket vendors.

 

For us in Nigeria / West Africa: While no African date is currently listed, the momentum of a global stadium tour means there’s potential for expansion — keeping an eye on announcements is wise.

 

As always with big tours: check travel visa requirements, local transport/accommodation availability, and also secondary market risks (ticket scams, inflated prices).

 

 

✅ Final word

 

The 2026 return of Metallica’s M72 World Tour promises to be an electrifying – not to mention massive – metal event. With huge stadium venues, standout support acts, 360° “Snake Pit” staging, and the band leaning into the “No Repeat Weekend” format, this is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious heavy-metal tours in years. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just looking for the live experience of a lifetime, this one merits serious consideration.