Metallica Extend Groundbreaking M72 World Tour Into 2026 With 16 Epic UK & European Dates

by | May 22, 2025

Metallica are once again proving why they remain one of the most enduring and electrifying forces in rock history. The iconic metal pioneers have announced that their record-breaking M72 World Tour will extend into a fourth consecutive year, unveiling a 16-date run across Europe and the UK scheduled for May through July 2026.

Metallica (Tim Saccenti)

Metallica (Tim Saccenti)
Metallica (Tim Saccenti)

Launched in April 2023, the M72 World Tour has already stormed across continents, drawing in over four million fans and redefining what a modern metal tour can be. With its ambitious scale, immersive stage production, and the band’s relentless energy, M72 has become more than a tour—it’s a landmark celebration of Metallica’s legacy and enduring global impact. The 2026 dates mark another major chapter in this monumental undertaking, bringing the M72 experience to eight countries over three months, while introducing the tour to cities not visited since 2009, such as Frankfurt, Dublin, and Budapest.

Metallica @ Twickenham

James Hetfield of Metallica @ Twickenham (Jamie MacMillan)
James Hetfield of Metallica @ Twickenham (Jamie MacMillan)

Carrying forward one of the most celebrated aspects of the M72 tour, the 2026 leg will once again feature the No Repeat Weekend format. These two-night city stops are a dream come true for hardcore fans—two completely unique setlists, no song repeated, and a rotating cast of top-tier support acts. It’s a full weekend of immersive metal mayhem designed to reward the band’s most loyal followers with unprecedented variety and depth. These engagements promise a festival-like experience—multiple nights, different opening acts, and career-spanning setlists that reach deep into Metallica’s four-decade discography.

Even on single-show stops, the James Hetfield-fronted metal quartet are bringing the full weight of the M72 production, including its iconic in-the-round stage—a massive, circular setup that brings the band closer to the crowd and transforms stadiums into intimate, high-octane arenas. Every fan gets a unique perspective, and every performance becomes a shared, full-circle experience.

As if Metallica weren’t enough, each show will also feature a rotating cast of powerhouse support acts, with Pantera, Gojira, Knocked Loose, and Avatar confirmed for the European and UK dates. These bands bring their own loyal fanbases and distinct energy to the stage, ensuring that every night is a dynamic, full-spectrum showcase of metal’s past, present, and future. From the crushing legacy of Pantera to the progressive ferocity of Gojira and the genre-bending chaos of Knocked Loose, the 2026 leg promises one of the most varied and powerful touring lineups Metallica has ever assembled.

Pantera @ BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham

Pantera @ BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham (Nick Allan)
Pantera @ BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham (Nick Allan)

Tickets go on sale to the general public on 30th May at 10am local time, with Metallica fan club pre-sales beginning 27th May at 11am local time. Fans are encouraged to act quickly—given the demand for past M72 shows, many dates are expected to sell out fast. Fans can also access enhanced experiences, travel packages, and exclusive merch bundles via the official tour site: metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour2026

Beyond the music, the M72 World Tour continues Metallica’s mission to give back. A portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to All Within My Hands, the band’s nonprofit foundation focused on career education, food security, and disaster relief.

Since its launch in 2017, the foundation has raised over $20 million, funding vital programs like the Metallica Scholars Initiative, now in its seventh year, which provides career and technical education to underserved communities. Additionally, All Within My Hands has directed more than $7.4 million to fight hunger and over $4.7 million for disaster recovery efforts around the world.

Metallica @ Twickenham

Kirk Hammett & Lars Ulrich of Metallica @ Twickenham (Jamie MacMillan)
Kirk Hammett & Lars Ulrich of Metallica @ Twickenham (Jamie MacMillan)

2026 M72 World Tour Tour Dates:

MAY
9th – Athens, Olympic Stadium, Greece*
13th – Bucharest, Arena Națională, Romania*
19th – Chorzów, Stadion Śląski, Poland*
22nd – Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park, Germany*
24th – Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park, Germany+
27th – Zurich, Stadion Letzigrund, Switzerland*
30th – Berlin, Olympiastadion, Germany*

JUNE
3rd – Bologna, Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Italy*
11th – Budapest, Puskas Arena, Hungary+
13th – Budapest, Puskas Arena, Hungary*
19th – Dublin, Aviva Stadium, Ireland+
21st – Dublin, Aviva Stadium, Ireland*
25th – Glasgow, Hampden Park, Scotland*
28th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium, Wales*

JULY
3rd – London, London Stadium, UK*
5th – London, London Stadium, UK+

(*Single night performance / +Second night of No Repeat Weekend)

As Metallica prepares to bring the next phase of the M72 World Tour to Europe and the UK, one thing is certain: this is more than a concert series—it’s a global movement, a multi-year celebration of the band’s unparalleled legacy, and a gift to fans new and old. If you’ve ever wanted to see Metallica at their most ambitious and powerful, 2026 is your year. Brace yourself. Europe, Metallica are coming.

Metallica 2026 Tour Poster

Metallica 2026 Tour Poster

Metallica Are Hardwired Into Twickenham

Mae Stephens (Press)

Mae Stephens Returns With Defiant New Single Done With U And Announces 2026 UK Headline Tour

Rising alt-pop force Mae Stephens has released her bold new single Done With U alongside news of her first UK headline tour, set for March and April 2026. The tour launches in Norwich on 18 March and wraps in London at The Lower Third on 1st April.

Cassyette @ Roundhouse (Kalpesh Patel)

Cassyette Detonates The Roundhouse With 30 Minutes Of Pure Chaos And Catharsis

The lights fall to black inside the Roundhouse and a ripple of anticipation rolls through the crowd. When Cassy...
Squeeze @ Glastonbury Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)

Squeeze Announce Birmingham Utilita Arena Date On 2026 Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour

British pop icons Squeeze have announced a major Birmingham show as part of their newly unveiled Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour, hitting arenas across the UK in late 2026. The band will perform at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on 28th November 2026, with tickets going on general sale Friday 28th November 2025 at 09:30 GMT. Joining them as very special guest across all dates is singer, songwriter and activist Billy Bragg.

Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

Biffy Clyro Announce Biggest Ever Headline Show At Finsbury Park For July 2026

Scottish alt-rock heavyweights Biffy Clyro have announced the biggest headline show of their career, confirming a massive outdoor performance at Finsbury Park, London, on Friday 3rd July 2026. Revealed yesterday, the news arrives as the trio continue an already packed period of activity, currently touring in support of their tenth studio album, Futique, released in September this year. That run includes a major night at London’s O2 Arena on 14th January 2026.

Gary Numan @ Hammersmith Apollo (Louise Phillips)

Grief, Glory & Grace – Gary Numan’s Heartbroken Homecoming Hammersmith Apollo

There are homecoming gigs, and then there are nights like Friday 21st November 2025 at the Hammersmith Apollo. For...
Lambrini Girls @ XOYO, Birmingham (Nick Allan)

Lambrini Girls Bring Controlled Chaos And Sharp-Edged Punk Energy To XOYO Birmingham

Lambrini Girls didn’t just play XOYO Birmingham, they detonated it. The Brighton punk trio have built a reputation for...
Stray From The Path @ O2 Institute, Birmingham (Nick Allan)

A Farewell On Fire: Stray From The Path Deliver One Last Earth-Shaking Set At The O2 Institute Birmingham

Stray From the Path’s final Birmingham appearance was never going to be a quiet goodbye but no one in the O2 Institute...
Bastille @ The O2 (Louise Phillips)

Good Grief, Bastille Show No Bad Blood At The O2 Arena

Tonight was a night of reflection. Of celebration. Fifteen years in, Bastille sound as good, and appeal to more people than ever. The fourth time the London band have played the biggest arena in the capital and they feel at home on this stage this size, with their visuals, their anthems and their devout relationship with their fans, they belong here.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing