Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Metallica Sets 2026 European Tour Dates

James Hetfield of Metallica music band performs on stage during their concert in Madrid, Spain, 12 July 2024. Metallica concert in Madrid, Spain - 12 Jul 2024
Photo by Mariscal/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (14584152i)

Metallica, the iconic thrash metal band, has announced the European leg of their highly-anticipated “M72” World Tour for 2026, with an impressive lineup featuring Gojira, Knocked Loose, Pantera, and Avatar as supporting acts. The tour promises to deliver the band’s signature high-energy performances combined with innovative stage setups across various key European cities. This tour installment will take place from May to July 2026, following the overwhelming success of Metallica’s previous legs, which saw them perform to millions of fans worldwide, cementing their status within the upper echelons of heavy metal lore.

The “M72” tour will feature Metallica’s unique in-the-round stadium production, showcasing the famed Snake Pit setup that allows fans an immersive 360-degree concert experience. This choice of stage configuration not only promises an intimate feel but also highlights the band’s ambition to bridge the typical performer-audience gap found in stadium shows. The tour itinerary is structured to include “No Repeat Weekends,” where the band will play entirely different setlists over two nights in select cities like Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London. This format ensures a fresh experience for attendees, enhancing each concert’s novelty and excitement.

In addition to the “No Repeat Weekends,” Metallica will also bring back their “One Night Only” shows, offering fans in cities such as Athens, Chorzów, and Cardiff a rare opportunity to witness the band’s powerhouse performance for the first time in over a decade. These single-event nights allow Metallica to reach a broader audience, rekindling connections in territories that have awaited their return for years. Furthermore, fans can enjoy a series of enhanced experiences, including meet-and-greet options, backstage access, and early entry, extending the concert’s personal touch beyond the music, and cultivating a unique community among Metallica’s dedicated fanbase.

Tickets for the “M72” tour will be available to the general public on May 30, 2025, with presales for fan club members commencing earlier. The tour will also offer exclusive packages, including the “I Disappear Ticket,” which provides hardcore fans access to every European tour date—a golden ticket of sorts for those desiring to follow the band through their concert journey. Such offerings not only amplify fan engagement but also serve as a testament to Metallica’s enduring commitment to their audience, consistently pushing the boundaries of what a concert experience can entail.

The roster of supporting acts is no less impressive. Pantera will join the tour for certain dates, bringing their legendary groove metal sound back to European audiences. French metal band Gojira, with ties to previous Metallica tours, is slated for several performances, alongside hardcore punks Knocked Loose and the theatrical Swedish group Avatar. This eclectic mix of bands ensures that the tour will resonate across fan bases, fulfilling varied tastes and elevating the overall concert spectacle.

For Metallica, the “M72” European tour marks another milestone in their celebrated career, combining storied hits with innovative stagecraft and a nod to both nostalgia and forward-thinking concert experiences. Fans eagerly await what promises to be an unforgettable series of performances, reinforcing why Metallica remains at the forefront of live music entertainment. As the countdown to the 2026 tour begins, anticipation builds for a musical journey that only Metallica can deliver, filled with viscerality, virtue, and unrelenting showmanship.

Metallica M72 2026 European Tour Dates
May 9 – Athens, Greece @ Olympic Stadium *
May 13 – Bucharest, Romania @ Arena Nationala *
May 19 – Chorzow, Poland @ Stadion Slaski *
May 22 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Deutsche Bank Park *
May 24 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Deutsche Bank Park +
May 27 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Stadion Letzigrund *
May 30 – Berlin, Germany @ Olympiastadion *
June 3 – Bologna, Italy @ Stadio Renato Dall’ara *
June 11 – Budapest, Hungary @ Puskas Arena +
June 13 – Budapest, Hungary @ Puskas Arena *
June 19 – Dublin, Ireland @ Aviva Stadium +
June 21 – Dublin, Ireland @ Aviva Stadium *
June 25 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Hampden Park *
June 28 – Cardiff, Wales @ Principality Stadium *
July 3 – London, England @ London Stadium *
July 5 – London, England @ London Stadium +

* Support: Gojira and Knocked Loose
+ Support: Pantera and Avatar

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

David Byrne Marks ‘Who Is The Sky?’ Anniversary With Deluxe Edition, Four New Tracks

David Byrne released a digital deluxe edition of ‘Who Is The Sky?’ on September 16, 2026, adding four bonus tracks to mark the album’s first anniversary as his world tour winds down.

Bob Dylan Announces 39-CD ‘Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1976 Live Recordings’ Box Set

Bob Dylan is releasing a 39-CD box set covering the second leg of his 1976 Rolling Thunder Revue tour, arriving November 6, 2026 with hundreds of previously unreleased recordings.

Brian May Reverses Course on AI, Still Torn Over ABBA Voyage-Style Queen Avatar Show

Brian May tells Absolute Radio he has reversed his once-relaxed view of artificial intelligence, and explains why he stepped back from a Queen avatar show modeled on ABBA Voyage.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Announce ‘Origins 1971-1978’ Box Set for 50th Anniversary

Tom Petty’s estate has unveiled Origins 1971-1978, a box set revisiting the Heartbreakers’ earliest years, arriving November 6 as the band marks its 50th anniversary and receives a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Metallica Adds 2027 North American M72 Tour Dates With Limp Bizkit and Avatar

Metallica has unveiled 12 new North American stadium dates for 2027, continuing the M72 World Tour with Limp Bizkit and Avatar as support acts once the band wraps its Las Vegas Sphere residency.

Judge Recuses Herself From Steven Tyler Sexual Assault Trial Weeks Before Scheduled Start

Los Angeles County Judge Patricia A. Young has withdrawn from Julia Misley’s sexual assault lawsuit against Steven Tyler, citing a conflict tied to another judge previously removed from the case, and the September 28 trial has been pulled from the calendar.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Add December New York Dates to Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning Tour

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have added six December 2026 New York shows to their Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning Tour, building on an already confirmed October run through the South.

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts Release New Album ‘Second Song’

Neil Young, 80, and his backing band the Chrome Hearts released their second studio album together, ‘Second Song,’ on September 18, 2026, pairing new writing with reworked songs from decades ago.

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Final Concert Film Set for October Theatrical Release

The concert film capturing Ozzy Osbourne’s final show and Black Sabbath’s original lineup’s last performance together will open in cinemas worldwide on October 28, 2026.