Metallica Kicks Off ‘Life Burns Faster’ Residency at Las Vegas Sphere
Metallica opens its “Life Burns Faster” residency at the Las Vegas Sphere on October 1, 2026, marking the thrash-metal band’s first appearances at the venue. The run is set to span 24 shows through March 2027, with the closing performance scheduled for March 13, 2027.
The residency slots Metallica alongside U2, No Doubt and the Eagles as artists who have taken the Sphere stage. Shows are booked for Thursday and Saturday nights, and the band is using the “No Repeat” format it introduced on its M72 World Tour, meaning the 24 dates form 12 paired weekends, each with two separate setlists.
- First show: October 1, 2026; final show: March 13, 2027
- 24 total performances across 12 “No Repeat Weekends”
- Resale ticket prices as of late September 2026 started around $672 to $912 on sites including StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek
- Metallica x adidas merchandise goes on sale September 30, 2026
Metallica 2026-2027 Sphere Residency Dates
- October 1: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 3: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 8: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 10: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 15: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 17: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 22: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 24: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 29: Las Vegas, Sphere
- October 31: Las Vegas, Sphere
- November 5: Las Vegas, Sphere
- November 7: Las Vegas, Sphere
- January 28, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- January 30, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 4, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 6, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 18, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 20, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 25, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- February 27, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- March 4, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- March 6, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- March 11, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
- March 13, 2027: Las Vegas, Sphere
Why Metallica Chose the Sphere
Drummer Lars Ulrich pointed to U2’s 2023 opening night at the Sphere as the moment the idea took hold for him. “About 12 seconds into the opening night of Sphere with U2 back in ’23, I thought ‘We have to do this, it’s completely uncharted territory!'” he said in a press release.
Ulrich described the upcoming shows as a fresh way for the band to connect with its audience: he called the residency “another chance to reinvent how we interact with our fans in a live setting.”
Tickets and Demand for the Sphere Shows
Tickets for “Life Burns Faster” were first sold through Live Nation and Ticketmaster. By late September 2026, many dates in the run had either sold out or were nearing capacity, pushing fans toward resale platforms.
On secondary marketplaces such as StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek, starting prices for available tickets ranged from roughly $672 to $912 depending on the site and date.
Metallica x adidas Merch and Sphere Fan Events
Metallica and adidas unveiled a joint merchandise line tied to the residency, blending the adidas Trefoil logo with Metallica graphics across T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts sized for men, women and children. The collection becomes available on September 30, 2026 at the Sphere, at a Las Vegas pop-up shop, and online through metallica.com and adidas.com.
Through the adiCLUB and CONFIRMED app, adidas is also giving fans the chance to win signed Metallica merchandise along with free tickets to five selected dates of the residency.
Metallica is running a pop-up shop open Wednesday through Sunday during the residency’s first two weeks, alongside the “Black Box,” an interactive exhibit featuring band memorabilia and hands-on displays. Other planned tie-ins include a live call-in edition of SiriusXM’s “‘Tallica Talk” on the Maximum Metallica channel, a partnership with cigar maker Drew Estate, a Red Cross blood drive sponsored by Delta Air Lines, and dining deals available through inKind.
James Hetfield’s Blood Donation and New Hairstyle
Frontman James Hetfield took part in the band’s Red Cross blood drive event held in Las Vegas ahead of the residency’s opening. He was also spotted this week visiting The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas while sporting a new look, with fans noting his gray hair now carries a dark black streak running through the middle.
Other Metallica Shows on the Horizon
Beyond the Sphere run, Metallica has two special performances planned at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, marking the venue’s 25th anniversary. The band is also lining up a 12-date North American tour for 2027 that will feature Limp Bizkit and Avatar as support acts.
More Info
- Metallica – (from left) Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett – will hit the Las Vegas Sphere in fall 2026. | galvnews.com
- Metallica’s James Hetfield Debuts New Hairstyle For Sphere Shows | Loudwire
- Metallica and adidas Announce Merch Capsule for Sphere Residency | Consequence
- Metallica at Sphere: Here’s Where to Shop Affordable Last-Minute Tickets Online | Billboard
- Metallica at Sphere in Las Vegas: What to know before you go | sfchronicle.com
- Metallica Concert Setlists: What to Expect at Sphere Residency Tour | Ticketmaster Blog
- Metallica Is Taking Over Las Vegas Next Week With More Than Just Its New Sphere Residency | mensjournal.com
Related Stories
Rod Stewart Announces Retirement From Touring, Reveals 2027 ‘The Final Encore’ Tour Dates
Rod Stewart says his upcoming 2027 tour of the UK and Europe, called The Final Encore, will be his last time touring, though he insists he isn’t stepping away from music entirely.
Jo Wood Says Rolling Stones Touring Days May Be Done Because of Keith Richards
Jo Wood, Ronnie Wood’s ex-wife, says she doubts the Rolling Stones will hit the road again, blaming Keith Richards’ hesitance even as the band’s new album Foreign Tongues thrives.
Rush’s Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson Push Neil Peart Memorial Fund Past $1 Million Goal
Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson delivered a $785,000 check to the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force, putting a years-long campaign to build the late drummer’s memorial in Ontario over its $1 million target.
Kid Rock-Linked MAGA Festival Canceled After Only Six VIP Tickets Sold
Organizer Eric Deters scrapped his Kentucky “Patriots Day Freedom Fest” days before it was due to happen, saying wealthy contacts he counted on for VIP ticket revenue largely stayed away.
U2 Announce ‘Carnaval De Luz,’ Featuring Dolly Parton’s Final Vocal on Closer ‘Torn’
U2 have announced their 16th studio album, ‘Carnaval De Luz,’ due November 13, 2026, which closes with ‘Torn,’ a duet pairing Bono with what is described as Dolly Parton’s final recorded vocal.
Neil Young Joins Willie Nelson for ‘Real Cowboys’ Duet at Bridgeport Co-Headline Show
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts kicked off a pair of co-headlining shows with Willie Nelson & Family in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with Young stepping into Nelson’s set for a rare rendition of their duet “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?”
Buddy Guy’s 90th Birthday Concert to Bring Clapton, Mayer and Blues Royalty to Radio City Music Hall
Blues legend Buddy Guy marks his 90th birthday with an all-star concert at Radio City Music Hall on October 1, and fans who can’t attend in person can watch via a paid nugs.net livestream.
Pink Floyd’s Iconic ‘Animals’ Building To Become Concert Venue
Apple has revealed Apple Music Hall, a new 600-capacity live music venue built inside London’s Battersea Power Station, with an official opening date of September 28, 2026.
Bret Michaels, Gene Simmons Band Set Western Pennsylvania Shows This Fall and Spring
Poison frontman Bret Michaels and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons have each lined up separate Southwestern Pennsylvania concert dates, with shows set for Greensburg and Pittsburgh.