From anthems to soulful ballads, Metallica is gearing up to take you on a unique journey through their 40-year catalogue. With no-repeat setlists, colossal stages, and an array of hard-hitting support acts, “M72 World Tour” promises to be an exhilarating ride in 2026.
The American heavy metal band Metallica is back, and their 2026 “M72 World Tour” is already making waves. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.
After a few lineup changes, the band members include Hetfield and Lars, guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo. They are one of the bands that forged thrash metal alongside Slayer, Megadeth (formed by guitarist Dave Mustaine after being fired by Metallica), and Anthrax. These bands are the “big four.” The forerunners of aggressive music and fast-tempo instrumentals.
The “M72 World Tour” promises to deliver the band’s signature intensity, from the iconic riffs of “Enter Sandman” to the raw fury of their latest tracks.
With over 125 million albums sold worldwide and a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, their legacy is ironclad. Get ready for a tour that is as much about their storied past as it is about their unrelenting future.
The album: “72 Seasons”
Metallica’s “72 Seasons” is the fiery heart of their “M72 World Tour.” This is the band’s eleventh studio album, and it was finally released on April 14, 2023, after four years of meticulous creative activities in the studio. “72 Seasons” is a mirror that reflects the evolution. Although the title does not sound like the average Metallica album, like “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct,” “Death Magnetic,” and “Ride the Lightning.”
Its “out of left field” title has been praised by critics who were intrigued by the name and its introspective lyrics. Tracks like “Lux Æterna” and “Screening Suicide” have become instant anthems, resonating with old and new fans.
Commercially, “72 Seasons” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and hit No. 1 in 19 countries, including Germany and Australia.
The album’s lead single, “Lux Æterna,” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance in 2024. The album’s intensity fuelled the “M72 World Tour’s” record-breaking run, where the band amassed $179.4 million from just 24 shows in 2024. The album has proven that Metallica remains the undisputed king of heavy metal.
“M72 World Tour”
The Los Angeles outfit kicked off their highly anticipated tour, “M72 World Tour,” on April 27, 2023, at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Stadium. James Hetfield has led his bandmates to many cities where they have transformed stadiums into cauldrons of metal madness. Metallica has played in over 30 cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.
Some highlights of the tour so far include breaking the JMA Wireless Dome’s 43-year attendance record in Syracuse on April 19, 2025, with 47,319 fans, and a historic sold-out show at Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium on May 7, 2025, where “Enter Sandman” echoed through a crowd steeped in the song’s 25-year tradition as the football team’s entrance anthem.
The “No Repeat Weekend” format, where the band plays two nights, two unique setlists, and different openers, has kept fans on edge. Moments like James Hetfield’s heartfelt speech on mental health before “Fade to Black” in Denver left fans in awe. Critics have raved, with Billboard calling it “a life-affirming spectacle” and Metal Hammer dubbing it “epic.” At the Pollstar Awards in 2024, the tour’s 2024 leg alone grossed $179.4 million, earning the Rock Tour of the Year.
For the rest of 2025, Metallica’s schedule is packed with high-octane shows. The Oceania leg kicks off in Perth, Australia, on November 1, with Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies supporting, followed by Adelaide (November 5), Melbourne (November 8), and Sydney (November 15). A special after-race concert at the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6 closes the year, promising a blistering set under the desert sky. Get your tickets at Seatsnet.com and be part of the metallic revolution.
“M72 World Tour” in 2026
Get yourselves ready to ride the lightning in 2026, as Metallica continues their global run in 2026. The American heavy metal band storms 2026 with a European leg that is set to be a metalhead’s dream.
The “M72 World Tour” will kick off at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on May 9 and wrap up on July 5 in London. The band will play 16 shows in 12 cities, including Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and Cardiff.
The “No Repeat Weekend” tradition continues in four cities: Frankfurt (May 22 and 24), Budapest (June 11 and 13), Dublin (June 19 and 21), and London (July 3 and 5). Each night, the band will play an entirely different setlist, and support acts like Gojira, Avatar, Knocked Loose, and Pantera are expected to open these shows.
Fans can anticipate pure Metallica magic throughout their 2026 European run. The commanding growl of James Hetfield’s vocals sets the tone for Hammett’s shredding solos, Ulrich’s thunderous drums, and Trujillo’s pulsating bass.
From playing thrash metal anthems to heavy metal tracks, “M72 World Tour” in 2026 promises to be an unforgettable run of shows. The Snake Pit will be placed in the centre, offering the band a 360-degree view of their adoring fans and an up-close experience for old and new fans.
Whether it is your first show or your tenth, expect circle pits, sing-alongs, and moments that will leave your voice hoarse and your heart racing. Grab your tickets and join the metal madness!
How to get tickets
Tickets for the M72 World Tour in Frankfurt are available at Seatsnet.com, a trusted platform offering standard and VIP packages.
Two-day “No Repeat Weekend” tickets and single-day tickets for one-night shows are also available. Visit Seatsnet.com for more details.
Follow Metallica on Instagram, X, and their official website (metallica.com) for presale codes, especially for Fifth Member fan club members, who get early access.
Check Seatsnet.com regularly for resale options closer to the dates.
Act fast— Metallica tickets are selling like hot metal! Join the Metallica community and secure your spot now!
Possible setlist for the 2026 tour
The no-repeat setlists tradition continues in 2026; thus, fans can expect a complex mix of classics and tracks from their most recent work, “72 Seasons.” Fans can likely hear “Whiplash” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” for that old-school rush, alongside “Lux Æterna” and “Screaming Suicide” from “72 Seasons.”
Crowd favourites like “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” are near-certainties, while covers like Black Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky” or AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top” might spice things up.
The encore often packs a punch with “Master of Puppets” or “Seek & Destroy.” With Kirk and Rob’s infectious and joyful vibe adding spontaneity, every show is a unique beast.
“It’s a Long Way to the Top” (AC/DC cover)
“The Ecstasy of Gold”
“Whiplash”
“For Whom the Bell Tolls”
“Ride the Lightning”
“The Memory Remains”
“Lux Æterna”
“Screaming Suicide”
“If Darkness Had a Son”
“Nothing Else Matters”
“Sad but True”
“One”
“Enter Sandman”
“Hole in the Sky” (Black Sabbath cover)
“Creeping Death”
“Master of Puppets”
“Seek & Destroy”
Tour dates and venues
May 9, 2026 – Athens, Greece – Olympic Stadium
May 13, 2026 – Bucharest, Romania – Arena Națională
May 19, 2026 – Chorzów, Poland – Stadion Śląski
May 22-23, 2026 – Frankfurt, Germany – Deutsche Bank Park
May 27, 2026 – Zürich, 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 Aréna
June 19, 21, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
June 25, 2026 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hampden Park
June 28, 2026 – Cardiff, Wales – Principality Stadium
July 3, 5, 2026 – London, England – London Stadium
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