๐๐๐ญ๐ & ๐๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ (๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ & ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐) ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ / ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐, ๐๐๐๐, ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ…
In May through early July 2026, Metallica will again set Europe ablaze with their epic M72 World Tour stadium leg, bringing their signature in-the-round spectacle to 16 dates across nine countries. Dubbed (for now) under the banner โShockwaves Hit the Plainsโ, this run promises both long-awaited returns and the full power of a band still reckoning with its legacy and pushing forward.
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๐ธ Tour Overview & Philosophy
Metallicaโs M72 World Tour began in 2023 in support of their 2023 album 72 Seasons and is slated to culminate in July 2026. The 2026 European / UK leg is its grand finale, elevating the theatrics, the stage design, and the fan engagement one final time.
A few distinguishing features of this leg:
Stadiums & in-the-round staging: The stage is built mid-field, surrounded by fans on all sides, with the โSnake Pitโ at the center giving a 360ยฐ view.
No Repeat Weekends: In four cities (Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, London), Metallica will perform two nights in a row with completely different setlists and different supporting acts.
One-Night-Only stops: Some cities will host just a single show (e.g. Athens, Chorzรณw, Cardiff).
Support acts: Core openers will include Gojira and Knocked Loose, with Pantera and Avatar joining for select No Repeat Weekend nights.
Enhanced experiences & ticketing: Packages such as meet-and-greet, stage tours, early entry, โI Disappearโ passes (for those attending all shows) will be offered.
The tour thus promises not just a concert, but an immersive ritual for metal fans โ waves of energy pulsing through stadiums, and fans caught in the ripples.
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๐ Dates & Cities: The 2026 โShockwaveโ Path
Below is the confirmed itinerary for the European / UK leg (May 9 โ July 5, 2026) with highlights of No Repeat Weekends and special stops.
Date City / Country Venue / Notes* Support / Notes
May 9 Athens, Greece Olympic Stadium One Night Only
May 13 Bucharest, Romania Arena Naศionalฤ Single show
May 19 Chorzรณw, Poland Stadion ลlฤ
ski First show in region since 2008
May 22 Frankfurt, Germany Deutsche Bank Park Start of No Repeat Weekend
May 24 Frankfurt (2nd night) Same venue Different setlist & support
May 27 Zurich, Switzerland Stadion Letzigrund Single show
May 30 Berlin, Germany Olympiastadion Single show
June 3 Bologna, Italy Stadio Renato DallโAra New territory
June 11 Budapest, Hungary Puskรกs Arรฉna Start of No Repeat Weekend
June 13 Budapest (2nd night) Same venue Alternate set & openers
June 19 Dublin, Ireland Aviva Stadium Start of No Repeat Weekend
June 21 Dublin (2nd night) Same venue Fresh setlist & openers
June 25 Glasgow, Scotland Hampden Park Single show
June 28 Cardiff, Wales Principality Stadium Return after decades (since 1996)
July 3 London, England London Stadium Start of No Repeat Weekend
July 5 London (2nd night) Same stadium Final show, alternate setlist
* โNo Repeat Weekendโ cities will have two nights of distinct sets. All others are single show stops.
This tour also sees Metallica returning to cities that havenโt hosted them in years โ Athens (first since ~2010), Chorzรณw (since ~2008), and Cardiff (since 1996).
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๐ช๏ธ Thematic Resonance & Fan Vibes
The phrase โShockwaves Hit the Plainsโ captures more than just tour marketing flair โ itโs a metaphor for the seismic impact Metallica aims to leave. Whether itโs the plains of Eastern Europe, the grounds of Hampden, or the open stadiums of London, the bandโs ambition is to create reverberations that go beyond sound.
Legacy meets renewal: As one of metalโs elders still touring at full force, Metallica continues to challenge themselves โ no two nights the same, pushing production boundaries, engaging hardcore and casual fans alike.
Communal pilgrimage: Many fans will chase the tour, especially with the โI Disappearโ passes. Expect cross-country travel, meetups, and a communal spirit among fans.
Visual spectacle: From pyro, lighting, video, to the central Snake Pit, the tour aims for a cinematic, immersive experience.
Emotional returns: For cities long deprived of Metallica (Cardiff, Athens), thereโs an extra layer of nostalgia and catharsis.
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๐ Why this leg matters โ Beyond concerts
1. Tour capstone: This is the final stretch of the M72 tour, making it a culmination of years of work and design.
2. Strategic cities: Visiting major European and UK markets ensures maximal exposure and revenue, while honoring legacy cities.
3. Evolving fanism: The No Repeat format incentivizes multiple shows, rewarding superfans and deep catalog listeners.
4. Music as ritual: For many fans, this tour season is not just about seeing a show โ itโs a rite, a shared human event in a fractured world.
5. Economic & cultural impact: Stadium shows bring huge logistics, tourism, and local energy to host cities.
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๐งญ Tips for Fans & Attendees
Buy early & verify sources: Tickets go on sale May 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time (with fan-club presales starting May 27)
Plan travel wisely: For No Repeat Weekend cities, book travel between both nights in advance.
Choose your package: Enhanced experiences (meet & greet, early entry etc.) offer extra value but come at premium cost.
Multiple shows = different experiences: No Repeat weekends guarantee different setlists and openers โ two nights are not repeats.
Expect long days: Stadium concerts may involve long waits, walking distances, and weather factors โ pack accordingly.
Connect with fan community: Forums, social media and local fan groups can help with ride shares, lodging, and camaraderie.
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๐ In Closing
From May 9 to July 5, 2026, Shockwaves are coming โ through stadiums, fansโ hearts, and the very ground beneath our feet. This European / UK run is a testament: Metallica remains a force, unapologetic and evolving. Whether for first-timers or lifelong fans, the M72 2026 leg offers more than music โ it offers a moment, a convergence, a surge of collective energy that lingers long after the amps cool.
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