Get ready, metal heads and stadium-seekers alike — Metallica has officially announced the next chapter in their global domination. The band’s mammoth touring machine, the M72 World Tour (which launched in 2023), is being **extended into 2026** — with fresh dates, fresh cities, and the same thunderous production that already shook millions worldwide. ([Pollstar News][1])
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### 🔥 What’s New (and Louder)
* The 2026 leg is billed to feature **16 stadium shows across Europe and the UK** between May and July. ([Entertainment Focus][2])
* Production remains state-of-the-art: an *in-the-round* stage design, with the famed “Snake Pit” at centre, giving a full 360° experience. ([Pollstar News][1])
* The “No Repeat Weekend” format continues — two-night stands in key markets where each night features a completely different setlist and support acts. ([Upcoming 100][3])
* Support acts are stacked: Pantera, Gojira, Knocked Loose and Avatar have been confirmed for select dates. ([Revolver][4])
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### 🎯 Key Dates & Cities (Europe/UK)
Here are some of the standout shows already on the calendar:
* May 9, 2026 – Athens, Olympic Stadium, Greece ([Upcoming 100][3])
* May 13, 2026 – Bucharest, Arena Naţională, Romania ([Upcoming 100][3])
* May 19, 2026 – Chorzów, Stadion Śląski, Poland ([Entertainment Focus][2])
* May 22 & 24, 2026 – Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park, Germany ([Pollstar News][1])
* June 19 & 21, 2026 – Dublin, Aviva Stadium, Ireland ([The Arts Shelf][5])
* June 25, 2026 – Glasgow, Hampden Park, Scotland ([LondonWorld][6])
* July 3 & 5, 2026 – London, London Stadium, England ([Time Out Worldwide][7])
Ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. local time on **May 30, 2025** for general sale, with fan club and presale access preceding that. ([KBXR-FM][8])
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### 🧨 Why This Matters
* **Scale & ambition**: Metallica isn’t simply doing a few arena dates; this is full-blown stadium territory with cutting-edge staging and global reach.
* **Fan-first mindset**: The “No Repeat Weekend” format honours the super-fans who will travel for both nights, rewarding them with unique setlists and experiences.
* **Production spectacle**: From the circular stage layout to the immersive Snake Pit, the visual and sonic design promises to deliver “metal stadium the way it was meant to be”.
* **Legacy and momentum**: Having already overwhelmed venues across multiple legs of M72, this 2026 expansion cements the tour as one of the most enduring and immersive of the decade. ([The Moshville Times][9])
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### ✅ What to Know (and Plan)
* **Presale access**: If you’re a fan club member, sign-up now — those early numbers tend to move rapidly.
* **Ticket tiers**: Expect VIP/“enhanced” packages (premium seats, special experiences) alongside standard tickets. London shows have already listed packages from ~£395 to ~£2,795. ([Time Out Worldwide][7])
* **Travel & logistics**: With two-night stands in some cities, planning stays, travel, and whether to hit both nights or just one is key.
* **Setlist variety**: If you have the stamina (and budget), attending both nights of a “No Repeat” weekend is a genuine opportunity to see two very different shows.
* **Global watch**: While the confirmed shows are Europe/UK for now, savvy watchers will stay alert for additional legs (Asia, Americas, etc.) — though nothing official beyond this has been revealed yet.
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### 🎤 Final Word
If you thought you’d seen everything from Metallica, think again. The 2026 chapter of the M72 World Tour is not just more; it’s **bigger, louder, more explosive** — a full-throttle celebration of metal, spectacle, and live music at its most ambitious. Whether you’re in Athens, Dublin, London or Glasgow, get ready – this isn’t going to be a “sit-back” concert. It’s a “stand-up, scream-along, move-your-whole-body” kind of experience.
Want me to check if there are **dates outside Europe** yet (for Africa, Latin America, Asia etc.) so we can scope your options globally? Let me know.
[1]: https://news.pollstar.com/2025/05/22/metallica-announces-2026-european-stadium-dates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Metallica Announces 2026 European Stadium Dates – Pollstar News”
[2]: https://entertainment-focus.com/2025/05/22/metallica-announces-2026-uk-and-european-m72-world-tour-dates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Metallica announces 2026 UK and European M72 World Tour dates – Entertainment Focus”
[3]: https://www.upcoming100.com/news-detail/27196/Metallica-announce-2026-UK-%26-European-tour-including-two-dates-at-London-Stadium/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Upcoming100-Metallica has confirmed that its record-breaking M72 World Tour will be extended into its fourth year with the announcement of 16 shows in Europe and the UK spanning May, June and July 2026.”
[4]: https://www.revolvermag.com/events/metallica-announce-2026-tour-with-gojira-pantera-knocked-loose-and-avatar/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “METALLICA announce 2026 tour with GOJIRA, PANTERA, KNOCKED LOOSE and AVATAR”