When James Hetfield’s voice roars across a stadium, you don’t just hear a band—you feel tectonic plates shift. And in 2026, Metallica is gearing up to deliver that very seismic shock with a new chapter of their M72 World Tour. Officially unveiled this week, the next leg brings fresh cities, no-holds-barred production, and support that’s as heavy as the headliners.
⚡ The Return of M72: Bigger, Brighter, Unleashed
Metallica’s M72 World Tour first launched in 2023 to support their eleventh studio album 72 Seasons, and now the band is confirming a full European/UK leg for 2026—ensuring that the roar doesn’t fade when 2025 ends. (Wikipedia)
But this isn’t just a rerun. With the Snake Pit re-centered in the stage configuration, the band is doubling down on immersive spectacle—360° views, zero back rows, and a show built to make every seat feel like front row. (Metal Injection)
📅 The Itinerary That Will Send Fans Into Overdrive
The European tour opens May 9, 2026 in Athens, Greece (Olympic Stadium) and runs through July 5 in London. (Loudwire)
Key stops include:
- Bucharest, Romania on May 13 (BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
- Chorzów, Poland on May 19 (Loudwire)
- Frankfurt, Germany — a “No Repeat Weekend” on May 22 & 24 (Loudwire)
- Zurich, Switzerland on May 27 (Knotfest)
- Berlin, Germany on May 30 (BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
- Bologna, Italy on June 3 (BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
- Budapest, Hungary — a two-night takeover June 11 & 13 (Loudwire)
- Dublin, Ireland — June 19 & 21 with different opening sets each night (Loudwire)
- Glasgow, Scotland — June 25 (The Scottish Sun)
- Cardiff, Wales — June 28 (The Scottish Sun)
- London, England — two nights, July 3 & 5 (Loudwire)
Cities like Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London will host “No Repeat Weekends”, meaning two shows with entirely different setlists back-to-back. (Ultimate Classic Rock)
🥁 Power Support: A Tour Can’t Blaze Alone
Metallica isn’t going it solo. The European leg features a rotating cast of support acts that read like a metal fan’s dream lineup: Gojira, Knocked Loose, Pantera and Avatar. (Revolver)
Single-night stops will typically open with Gojira & Knocked Loose, while the No Repeat Weekend dates will alternate between Pantera & Avatar on the second night. (Loudwire)
🔥 What Makes This Tour a Game-Changer
- Relentless Variety: With No Repeat Weekends, fans in the same city get two distinct experiences—setlists, energy, even opening acts change. (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- Theatrical Ambition: The round stage with centric Snake Pit promises a spectacle engineered for all angles. (Metal Injection)
- Legacy Meets Hunger: After decades of dominance, Metallica still refuses to settle. Every night is a statement, not a replay.
- Massive scale, intimate feels: The in-the-round design breaks down distance, making even stadiums feel immersive.
🛒 Tickets & How to Get In
- Fan club presale begins May 27, 2025 (BLABBERMOUTH.NET)
- General public on-sale starts May 30, 2025 at 10:00 local time via Ticketmaster and other authorized outlets (JOE.co.uk)
- VIP and enhanced experiences also offered—expect early access, premium viewing zones, and exclusive merchandise bundles.