Metallica Adds Six Sphere Dates
Metallica is adding six more dates to their Sphere residency in Las Vegas amid sold-out shows and critical acclaim for their innovative live production leveraging the venue's immersive tech. Tickets are expected to move fast for the additional concerts. The Sex Pistols with Frank Carter also announced rescheduled 2026 North American tour dates following earlier postponements.
The initial eight-show "Life Burns Faster" residency was announced in February 2026 for dates in October of the same year. The run follows Metallica's "No Repeat Weekend" tradition, meaning the setlists for the Thursday and Saturday shows of each weekend will be completely different. Drummer and co-founder Lars Ulrich said the idea to play the Sphere came to him within seconds of seeing U2's opening night at the venue in 2023, calling it "completely uncharted territory." The band aims to leverage the Sphere's advanced technology to create a new way to interact with fans in a live setting. The Sphere, a $2.3 billion venue, features the world's highest-resolution LED screen that wraps around the audience and Sphere Immersive Sound, which utilizes 167,000 speakers. The venue also incorporates multi-sensory 4D technology, which will be integrated into Metallica's performance for a fully immersive experience. U2, the first band to have a residency at the Sphere, grossed over $244 million from 40 shows, selling more than 660,000 tickets. This trailblazing success set a high bar for subsequent residencies at the technologically advanced venue. Following U2, the jam band Phish also had a successful run at the Sphere in 2024 and has announced a nine-show return for 2026. The Eagles and Dead & Company have also had successful residencies at the venue. Metallica's current M72 World Tour, which began in the spring of 2023, has already been seen by over four million fans worldwide. The addition of the Sphere dates continues the band's history of playing a variety of venues, from stadiums to intimate clubs. Fan club ticket presales for the newly added Metallica shows are set to begin on Wednesday, March 4th. Various ticket packages will be available, including single-night, two-night, and enhanced experience options.
