Metallica has officially announced the 2026 UK and European leg of their ongoing M72 World Tour, continuing to promote their 2023 album 72 Seasons. The tour will span from May 9 to July 5, 2026, covering major cities across Europe and the UK with a mix of single-night shows and innovative “No Repeat Weekend” events that promise fans a unique live experience with different setlists and support acts each night.
Extensive 2026 European and UK Tour Dates
The M72 World Tour will kick off on May 9 in Athens, Greece, marking the band’s first visit there since 2010. The tour will then move through Bucharest, Chorzów, Frankfurt, Zurich, Berlin, Bologna, Budapest, Dublin, Glasgow, Cardiff, and culminate with two shows at London Stadium on July 3 and 5. Notably, Cardiff will host Metallica for the first time since 1996, and Glasgow since 2017, making these highly anticipated stops for fans in the UK and Ireland.
No Repeat Weekend Shows
Four cities—Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London—will feature Metallica’s signature “No Repeat Weekend” format. This means the band will perform two consecutive nights with completely different setlists, spanning their 40+ year career, ensuring that fans attending both nights will not hear the same song twice. Each night will also showcase different support acts, enhancing the exclusivity of the experience. Fans purchasing two-day tickets will have access to these unique performances, along with planned fan events between shows to foster community among Metallica enthusiasts.
Star-Studded Support Acts
The 2026 tour brings together a powerful lineup of support bands. French progressive metal giants Gojira and American hardcore band Knocked Loose will open the majority of the shows, including all single-night performances and one night of the No Repeat Weekends. Meanwhile, legendary groove metal band Pantera and Swedish theatrical metal outfit Avatar will support the other nights of the No Repeat Weekend shows, reuniting Metallica with longtime touring partners and introducing fresh energy to the tour.
Metallica has expressed excitement about continuing the No Repeat Weekend tradition and reuniting with Pantera and Gojira, both of whom have toured with the band on previous legs. Avatar shared their enthusiasm on social media, acknowledging Metallica’s influence on their career and the honor of joining such a monumental tour.
Unique Production and Fan Experience
Maintaining the high production standards of the M72 tour, Metallica will employ their signature stadium setup with an in-the-round stage positioned midfield. The “Snake Pit,” a 360-degree viewing area in the center of the stage, will provide fans with an immersive concert experience regardless of their seat location. This production design has been praised for its intimacy and energy despite the large stadium settings.
The No Repeat Weekends also come with additional fan-centric activities, including meetups and special events between shows, designed to deepen the connection between the band and their global fanbase. This approach has been well received in previous tour legs, adding value beyond the music itself.
Ticket Sales and Presale Information
Tickets for the 2026 UK and European dates will be available to the general public starting May 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time. Dedicated Metallica fans can access presale tickets beginning May 27, 2025, by signing up for a fan club presale code on Metallica’s official website. For those unable to attend both nights of the No Repeat Weekends, single-day tickets will be offered starting July 25, 2025.
Summary of 2026 M72 European Tour Dates
| Date | City | Venue | Show Type | Support Acts* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 9 | Athens, Greece | Olympic Stadium | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| May 13 | Bucharest, Romania | Arena Națională | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| May 19 | Chorzów, Poland | Stadion Śląski | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| May 22-24 | Frankfurt, Germany | Deutsche Bank Park | No Repeat Weekend | Gojira/Knocked Loose & Pantera/Avatar |
| May 27 | Zurich, Switzerland | Stadion Letzigrund | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| May 30 | Berlin, Germany | Olympiastadion | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| June 3 | Bologna, Italy | Stadio Renato Dall’Ara | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| June 11-13 | Budapest, Hungary | Puskas Arena | No Repeat Weekend | Pantera/Avatar & Gojira/Knocked Loose |
| June 19-21 | Dublin, Ireland | Aviva Stadium | No Repeat Weekend | Pantera/Avatar & Gojira/Knocked Loose |
| June 25 | Glasgow, UK | Hampden Park | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| June 28 | Cardiff, UK | Principality Stadium | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| July 3-5 | London, UK | London Stadium | No Repeat Weekend | Pantera/Avatar & Gojira/Knocked Loose |
*Support acts alternate between nights during No Repeat Weekends.
Metallica’s 2026 M72 World Tour promises to be a landmark event for metal fans across Europe and the UK, combining the band’s legendary live energy with innovative concert formats and a stellar lineup of support acts. With unique setlists, immersive stadium production, and fan-focused activities, the tour is set to build on Metallica’s enduring legacy while delivering fresh, unforgettable experiences. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets early, as the combination of No Repeat Weekends and rare city stops like Cardiff and Glasgow are expected to generate high demand.
This tour continues Metallica’s record-breaking M72 run, which began in 2023 and has already spanned multiple continents, underscoring the band’s status as one of the world’s most enduring.
