Metallica Officially Announces 2026 “M72 World Tour” Leg Across Europe & UK: Massive 15-Country Summer Run Confirmed
Iconic heavy metal band Metallica has formally announced the next chapter of their ongoing M72 World Tour — revealing a major summer 2026 stadium tour across Europe and the United Kingdom, featuring headline dates in 15 countries. The announcement, made via the band’s official channels and Metallica.com in May 2025, extends the band’s touring cycle in support of their 2023 album 72 Seasons and marks one of the most expansive European tours in the band’s four-decade career. �
Metallica +1
The M72 World Tour began in April 2023 following the release of 72 Seasons, and has since seen Metallica play stadiums, arenas, and festivals around the globe. Having toured North America and Australia extensively through 2023-25, the band confirmed in May 2025 that they will return to Europe for a spring and summer 2026 run, comprising 16 announced shows across 9 countries, with portions designed under their signature No Repeat Weekend format. �
Metallica +1
Tour Announcement & Structure
Metallica’s announcement was posted on their official website, detailing that the M72 World Tour will kick off in Europe on May 9, 2026, and run through July 5, 2026, culminating in London, England. The band’s statement emphasized that the European leg will feature both one-night-only full-production stadium shows and multi-night No Repeat Weekends — in which the band performs a completely different setlist on each night in the same city. �
Metallica
The structure of the announced dates is built to deliver fans a wide array of performances, with varied supporting acts rotating through: French metal heavyweight Gojira and rising hardcore disruptors Knocked Loose are slated to open many shows, while metal legends Pantera and Swedish metal theatricals Avatar join for several No Repeat Weekend stops. �
Ultimate Classic Rock
Confirmed Dates & Countries
Below is the Metallica 2026 Tour itinerary as officially announced and confirmed through Metallica.com and accompanying press outlets:
May 9, 2026 – Athens, Greece — Olympic Stadium
May 13, 2026 – Bucharest, Romania — Arena Națională
May 19, 2026 – Chorzów, Poland — Stadion Śląski
May 22 & 24, 2026 – Frankfurt, Germany — Deutsche Bank Park
May 27, 2026 – Zurich, Switzerland — Stadion Letzigrund
May 30, 2026 – Berlin, Germany — Olympiastadion
June 3, 2026 – Bologna, Italy — Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
June 11 & 13, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary — Puskás Arena
June 19 & 21, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland — Aviva Stadium
June 25, 2026 – Glasgow, UK — Hampden Park
June 28, 2026 – Cardiff, Wales — Principality Stadium
July 3 & 5, 2026 – London, UK — London Stadium �
Revolver Magazine
This itinerary encompasses 15 countries when considering repeat shows and multiple stops within Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and the UK — underscoring the broad geographic reach of the tour and its multiregional appeal. �
Revolver Magazine
No Repeat Weekend Format & Special Features
A defining element of this 2026 leg is Metallica’s No Repeat Weekend concept, which debuted during the M72 Tour’s earlier legs. On selected stops, fans attending over a weekend will experience two separate setlists with no song repeated from one night to the next — a major draw for dedicated concertgoers and collectors of live performances. �
Metallica
For instance, cities like Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London will each host two-night No Repeat Weekends, enabling fans to experience a breadth of the band’s catalog across multiple shows. These weekends also feature an alternating lineup of special guests, enhancing the festival-like atmosphere and offering variety even for return attendees. �
Ultimate Classic Rock
Ticketing & Fan Club Presales
Metallica’s announcement detailed that fan club presales opened in late May 2025, with general ticket sales commencing May 30, 2025, for most European dates. Enhanced experiences, travel packages, and special ticketing perks — such as I Disappear passes and Snake Pit access — were also rolled out alongside the tour announcement. �
Metallica +1
Sources noted that tickets for popular shows — particularly in Dublin — sold out within minutes, reflecting the high demand for the band’s return to major European stadiums after several years of mostly festival and limited-stop runs. �
The Sun
Context and Significance
Metallica’s M72 World Tour stands as one of the most ambitious touring projects in modern metal history. According to performance data, the tour, which launched in 2023, has already drawn millions of fans and grossed over $500 million across earlier legs, with the 2026 extension poised to further cement the band’s impact on global live music. �
Wikipedia
By extending the touring cycle into 2026, Metallica not only continues to support their latest musical work but also responds to long-standing fan demand for international dates. Cities like Budapest, Dublin, and Athens will host the band with full stadium production for the first time in years, while the dual-set No Repeat Weekend format reflects Metallica’s commitment to delivering innovative live experiences. �
Ultimate Classic Rock
Looking Ahead
While the current announcement focuses on the Europe and UK leg, fans and industry watchers continue to speculate on additional legs — potentially including Asia, North America, or Oceania — later in 2026 or into 2027. Metallica’s touring strategy has historically included multiple regions spread across calendar years, and the band’s official social channels and fan clubs remain hubs for future updates. �
Metallica
In the meantime, Metallica’s 2026 slate stands as a landmark tour run, offering fans across 15 countries an opportunity to witness one of metal’s most enduring and electrifying live acts on the world stage. �
Ultimate Classic Rock.
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