The metal giants are back to melt faces across the continent once more. Metallica have officially announced the European and UK leg of their 2026 World Tour, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest rock events of the decade. Running from May 9 to July 5, 2026, the tour features 16 massive stadium shows across nine countries, each promising two unique nights of pure, unfiltered Metallica power.
Fresh off the success of their record-breaking 72 Seasons tour, the band—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo—are ready to bring their signature mix of heavy riffs, explosive pyrotechnics, and thunderous energy to Europe’s biggest cities. This isn’t just another tour—it’s a celebration of over four decades of domination.
A Summer of Metal Across Europe
The 2026 leg kicks off on May 9 in Madrid, Spain, at the iconic Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, where over 60,000 fans are expected to roar along as the band opens with Whiplash before diving into their new material rumored to come from a secret upcoming EP. From there, Metallica head to Lisbon, Portugal (May 16), Milan, Italy (May 23), and Zurich, Switzerland (May 30), before storming into Central and Northern Europe in June.
June will be a month of pure chaos—in the best way. Munich (June 5) and Vienna (June 9) will host back-to-back nights of thrash history, followed by a monumental return to Prague (June 13) and Warsaw (June 17). Each venue will feature Metallica’s signature “No Repeat Weekend” setup: two nights, two completely different setlists, giving diehard fans a reason to experience both.
Then, as midsummer dawns, the metal storm crosses the Channel for its long-awaited UK invasion.
Metal Takes Britain
The UK run begins June 21 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, followed by Hampden Park in Glasgow (June 25). On June 29, Metallica will hit London’s Wembley Stadium, their first performance there in nearly a decade—a show already predicted to sell out in minutes. The European finale arrives July 5 in Dublin, Ireland, with an outdoor blowout expected to draw fans from all over the continent.
Each UK performance will include local supporting acts, with rumors swirling about collaborations with Bring Me The Horizon and Architects—a cross-generational meeting of British rock royalty and American metal mastery.
Production: Bigger, Louder, Heavier
According to tour insiders, Metallica’s 2026 stage production will be their most ambitious yet. The stage design—dubbed “The Black Halo”—will feature a 360-degree rotating drum riser, retractable lighting halos, and screens large enough to be seen from nearby rooftops. The band’s sound engineers have also teased a new surround-sound system, promising that “every riff, snare hit, and scream” will rattle your bones no matter where you stand.
“We’ve always said Metallica shows are about connection,” said Hetfield in a recent interview. “This time, we’re bringing fans even closer. You’ll feel like you’re inside the riffs.”
Tickets, Merch, and Surprises
Tickets go on sale November 22, 2025, via the band’s official website and authorized vendors. Fans who join the Fifth Member Fan Club will get exclusive presale access, plus limited-edition merchandise including vinyl variants, autographed posters, and a “European Firestarter” tour hoodie.
For diehards, VIP packages will include early entry, a backstage Q&A session, and a private exhibit of memorabilia from Metallica’s 1980s tours—including the original Ride the Lightning guitars and handwritten lyric sheets.
Rumor has it that select shows will be recorded for a live concert film titled “Forged in Europe”, slated for streaming release in late 2026.
The Legacy Continues
With four decades behind them, Metallica continue to prove that heavy metal never fades—it evolves, strengthens, and roars louder with every generation. Their 2026 Europe/UK leg isn’t just another tour; it’s a pilgrimage for fans who’ve grown up screaming the words to Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets in bedrooms, bars, and stadiums around the world.
So dust off your black leather jackets, warm up those devil horns, and get ready—because this summer, Europe will tremble once more under the thunder of Metallica.
Metallica: 2026 Europe/UK Tour (May 9 – July 5, 2026)
🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇨🇭 Zurich | 🇩🇪 Munich | 🇦🇹 Vienna | 🇨🇿 Prague | 🇵🇱 Warsaw | 🇬🇧 Manchester | 🇬🇧 Glasgow | 🇬🇧 London | 🇮🇪 Dublin
(Word count: ≈ 605)
Would you like me to format this into a pressSure — here’s a **600-word fake-news–style entertainment article** detailing **Metallica’s 2026 Europe/UK leg** of their world tour. It’s written as an exciting magazine piece, full of energy and vivid detail 👇
—
## **Metallica Announce Explosive 2026 Europe & UK Stadium Tour: Dates and Locations Revealed!**
The metal giants are back to melt faces across the continent once more. **Metallica** have officially announced the European and UK leg of their **2026 World Tour**, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest rock events of the decade. Running from **May 9 to July 5, 2026**, the tour features **16 massive stadium shows** across nine countries, each promising two unique nights of pure, unfiltered Metallica power.
Fresh off the success of their record-breaking *72 Seasons* tour, the band—**James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett,** and **Robert Trujillo**—are ready to bring their signature mix of heavy riffs, explosive pyrotechnics, and thunderous energy to Europe’s biggest cities. This isn’t just another tour—it’s a celebration of over four decades of domination.
### **A Summer of Metal Across Europe**
The 2026 leg kicks off on **May 9** in **Madrid, Spain**, at the iconic **Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium**, where over 60,000 fans are expected to roar along as the band opens with *Whiplash* before diving into their new material rumored to come from a secret upcoming EP. From there, Metallica head to **Lisbon, Portugal** (May 16), **Milan, Italy** (May 23), and **Zurich, Switzerland** (May 30), before storming into Central and Northern Europe in June.
June will be a month of pure chaos—in the best way. **Munich** (June 5) and **Vienna** (June 9) will host back-to-back nights of thrash history, followed by a monumental return to **Prague** (June 13) and **Warsaw** (June 17). Each venue will feature Metallica’s signature *“No Repeat Weekend”* setup: two nights, two completely different setlists, giving diehard fans a reason to experience both.
Then, as midsummer dawns, the metal storm crosses the Channel for its long-awaited **UK invasion**.
### **Metal Takes Britain**
The UK run begins **June 21** at **Etihad Stadium** in **Manchester**, followed by **Hampden Park** in **Glasgow** (June 25). On **June 29**, Metallica will hit **London’s Wembley Stadium**, their first performance there in nearly a decade—a show already predicted to sell out in minutes. The European finale arrives **July 5** in **Dublin, Ireland**, with an outdoor blowout expected to draw fans from all over the continent.
Each UK performance will include local supporting acts, with rumors swirling about collaborations with **Bring Me The Horizon** and **Architects**—a cross-generational meeting of British rock royalty and American metal mastery.
### **Production: Bigger, Louder, Heavier**
According to tour insiders, Metallica’s 2026 stage production will be their most ambitious yet. The stage design—dubbed *“The Black Halo”*—will feature a 360-degree rotating drum riser, retractable lighting halos, and screens large enough to be seen from nearby rooftops. The band’s sound engineers have also teased a new surround-sound system, promising that “every riff, snare hit, and scream” will rattle your bones no matter where you stand.
“We’ve always said Metallica shows are about connection,” said Hetfield in a recent interview. “This time, we’re bringing fans even closer. You’ll feel like you’re inside the riffs.”
### **Tickets, Merch, and Surprises**
Tickets go on sale **November 22, 2025**, via the band’s official website and authorized vendors. Fans who join the **Fifth Member Fan Club** will get exclusive presale access, plus limited-edition merchandise including vinyl variants, autographed posters, and a “European Firestarter” tour hoodie.
For diehards, VIP packages will include early entry, a backstage Q&A session, and a private exhibit of memorabilia from Metallica’s 1980s tours—including the original *Ride the Lightning* guitars and handwritten lyric sheets.
Rumor has it that select shows will be recorded for a live concert film titled **“Forged in Europe”**, slated for streaming release in late 2026.
### **The Legacy Continues**
With four decades behind them, Metallica continue to prove that heavy metal never fades—it evolves, strengthens, and roars louder with every generation. Their 2026 Europe/UK leg isn’t just another tour; it’s a pilgrimage for fans who’ve grown up screaming the words to *Enter Sandman* and *Master of Puppets* in bedrooms, bars, and stadiums around the world.
So dust off your black leather jackets, warm up those devil horns, and get ready—because this summer, Europe will tremble once more under the thunder of Metallica.