Metallica reportedly nearing deal for Las Vegas Sphere residency in 2026: What we know so far

Metallica may be heading to Las Vegas in 2026. According to multiple reports, the legendary heavy metal band is close to locking in a multi-show residency at the Sphere venue. If it happens, this would make them the first heavy rock act to take over the arena.

There is no official confirmation yet. Las Vegas blog Vital Vegas reports that Metallica is "ready to ink a deal" and could reportedly take the stage in the fall of 2026. Their current global M72 World Tour will wrap up its second European leg in July 2026, which will clear their schedule for what could arguably be one of their most memorable live experiences yet.

Disclaimer: Details about Metallica's 2026 Las Vegas residency are only speculative and not yet confirmed by the band. These are subject to change.

If the residency happens, Metallica will join a diverse roster of artists who have played at the Sphere, including U2, Phish, Dead & Company, the Eagles, and Kenny Chesney.

The Sphere was opened in September 2023 with U2's UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere run. It was a game-changer for live entertainment. It is located off the Las Vegas Strip behind the Venetian Resort. The 17,600-seat venue is the largest spherical structure on Earth, standing 366 feet tall and wrapped in a 580,000-square-foot LED display called the Exosphere.

Inside, fans are surrounded by a 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screen with a 16K resolution. The venue also features Sphere Immersive Sound and environmental features like haptic seats, temperature changes, and more.

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett told The Hollywood Reporter that the Sphere represents how venues are evolving:

"That's using modern technology to the fullest... a crazy experience."

Complete schedule for Metallica's 2026 M72 tour

If the Sphere residency gets locked in for fall 2026, it will follow the end of Metallica's M72 World Tour, which began in 2023. It follows the "No Repeat Weekend" format, which means each city on the tour gets two shows with completely different setlists and support acts.

Metallica's European leg in 2026 is scheduled with stadium dates and a rotating cast of openers. Some dates are "One Night Only," and others are two-night stints.

Below is the full breakdown:

2026 M72 tour dates (Europe)

• Friday, May 9 – Athens, Greece – Olympic Stadium (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Tuesday, May 13 – Bucharest, Romania – Arena Națională (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Monday, May 19 – Chorzów, Poland – Stadion Śląski (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Thursday, May 22 – Frankfurt, Germany – Deutsche Bank Park (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Saturday, May 24 – Frankfurt, Germany – Deutsche Bank Park (Pantera, Avatar)
• Tuesday, May 27 – Zurich, Switzerland – Stadion Letzigrund (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Friday, May 30 – Berlin, Germany – Olympiastadion (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Tuesday, June 3 – Bologna, Italy – Stadio Renato Dall'Ara (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Wednesday, June 11 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena (Pantera, Avatar)
• Friday, June 13 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Thursday, June 19 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium (Pantera, Avatar)
• Saturday, June 21 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Wednesday, June 25 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hampden Park (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Saturday, June 28 – Cardiff, Wales – Principality Stadium (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Thursday, July 3 – London, UK – London Stadium (Gojira, Knocked Loose)
• Saturday, July 5 – London, UK – London Stadium (Pantera, Avatar)

For fans interested in attending, No Repeat Weekend 2-Day tickets and One Night Only tickets went on sale on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time via the official band website.

If the rumors pan out, Metallica at Sphere could offer something fans have never experienced.

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