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Metallica M72 Europe 2026: Full Tour Dates and Opening Bands Revealed
The M72 World Tour is returning to Europe in 2026. Metallica will perform a series of large stadium shows with a variety of supporting bands. This tour is part of the ongoing effort to bring Metallica’s music to fans in different cities across Europe. Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation has raised over $20 million since 2017, with $11.4 million allocated to career education programs and $7.4 million to food insecurity relief. A portion of M72 tour proceeds continues to support local charities in each city.
The M72 World Tour is returning to Europe in 2026. Metallica will perform a series of large stadium shows with a variety of supporting bands. By mid-2025, Metallica’s M72 tour had generated over $340 million from 2.9 million tickets sold across 49 stadium concerts. Three recent North American shows alone grossed $15.2 million and sold 137,620 tickets. This tour is part of the ongoing effort to bring Metallica’s music to fans in different cities across Europe.
The M72 World Tour is returning to Europe in 2026. Metallica will perform a series of large stadium shows with a variety of supporting bands. This tour is part of the ongoing effort to bring Metallica’s music to fans in different cities across Europe.
For this leg of the tour, the lineup includes Pantera, Gojira, Knocked Loose, and Avatar as opening acts. The tour will run from May to July, with concerts scheduled in several European countries. Some stops feature two-night “No Repeat Weekends” with different setlists each night, while others are single-event “One Night Only” shows.
The upcoming tour is organized across 16 shows in 9 different nations. Each concert features the band’s in-the-round stage setup, which places the stage in the center of the stadium.
Metallica 2026 Europe tour overview
Metallica’s M72 Europe 2026 tour spans from May 9 to July 5, 2026, covering 16 stadium concerts across 9 European countries. The M72 World Tour refers to Metallica’s current global tour supporting their 72 Seasons album, which features their signature stadium production and unique concert formats.
The tour includes two distinct show types. No Repeat Weekends present two shows in the same city, each with a completely different setlist and different opening bands. One Night Only concerts offer a single performance in select cities that haven’t hosted Metallica in years.
Each venue uses Metallica’s “in-the-round” stage design, where the stage sits in the center of the stadium floor. This setup allows fans to surround the band from all sides, creating a 360-degree concert experience. Gojira’s Spotify listeners increased by 50% from 1.8 million to 2.7 million after their 2024 Olympics performance. This surge directly contributed to their selection as a supporting act for Metallica’s 2026 European tour.
- Greece
- Romania
- Poland
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Italy
- Hungary
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
Each venue uses Metallica’s “in-the-round” stage design, where the stage sits in the center of the stadium floor. This setup allows fans to surround the band from all sides, creating a 360-degree concert experience.
Who is joining the metallica tour 2026
The metallica 2026 tour features four opening bands that perform on different dates depending on the show format. Opening bands, also called support acts, perform before the headliner to warm up the crowd and set the stage for the main performance.
Pantera
Pantera performs at all No Repeat Weekend shows in Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London. This groove metal band from Texas is known for aggressive riffs and high-energy performances. Pantera previously joined Metallica for earlier M72 tour dates in North America.
The current Pantera lineup features Phil Anselmo on vocals and Rex Brown on bass, joined by Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on drums. This configuration has been touring since 2022 to honor the legacy of deceased members Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.
Gojira
Gojira opens all One Night Only shows alongside Knocked Loose. This French metal band plays progressive death metal with technical musicianship and environmental themes in their lyrics. Gojira has previously toured with Metallica during both the World Magnetic and WorldWired tours.
The band consists of Joe Duplantier (vocals, guitar), Mario Duplantier (drums), Christian Andreu (guitar), and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass). Gojira gained international recognition for their performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Knocked Loose
Knocked Loose also performs at One Night Only shows with Gojira. This hardcore band from Kentucky is known for their aggressive sound that blends hardcore punk with metalcore elements. Their energetic live performances have made them popular among younger metal fans.
The band’s lineup includes Bryan Garris (vocals), Isaac Hale (guitar), Kevin Otten (bass), and Kevin Kaine (drums). Knocked Loose has gained significant attention in recent years for their intense live shows and heavy sound.
Avatar
Avatar joins Pantera for all No Repeat Weekend shows. This Swedish metal band combines heavy riffs with theatrical stage presence and dramatic visual elements. Their frontman Johannes Eckerstrom is known for elaborate face paint and costumes during performances.
Avatar has released multiple albums and built a following through their unique blend of metal music and theatrical presentation. The band expressed excitement about joining Metallica, noting the influence Metallica had on their formation.
Complete metallica tour dates 2026 schedule
The metallica 2026 tour schedule runs chronologically from May through July, with shows distributed across major European cities and stadiums.
| Date | City, Country | Venue | Show Type | Opening Bands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Frankfurt, Germany | Deutsche Bank Park | No Repeat Weekend 1 | Pantera, Avatar |
| May 24 | Frankfurt, Germany | Deutsche Bank Park | No Repeat Weekend 2 | 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 | Budapest, Hungary | Puskas Arena | No Repeat Weekend 1 | Pantera, Avatar |
| June 13 | Budapest, Hungary | Puskas Arena | No Repeat Weekend 2 | Pantera, Avatar |
| June 19 | Dublin, Ireland | Aviva Stadium | No Repeat Weekend 1 | Pantera, Avatar |
| June 21 | Dublin, Ireland | Aviva Stadium | No Repeat Weekend 2 | Pantera, Avatar |
| June 25 | Glasgow, Scotland | Hampden Park | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| June 28 | Cardiff, Wales | Principality Stadium | One Night Only | Gojira, Knocked Loose |
| July 3 | London, England | London Stadium | No Repeat Weekend 1 | Pantera, Avatar |
| July 5 | London, England | London Stadium | No Repeat Weekend 2 | Pantera, Avatar |
Notable venue returns
Several cities on the metallica tour dates 2026 represent long-awaited returns:
- Athens: First Metallica show since 2010
- Chorzów: First performance since 2008
- Cardiff: First concert since 1996
These extended gaps make these particular shows significant events for local fans who haven’t had the opportunity to see Metallica perform live in their cities for over a decade.
What to expect at a metallica concert 2026
Metallica concerts in 2026 use an “in-the-round” stage design where the stage sits in the center of the stadium floor. This configuration allows fans to surround the band from all sides, creating viewing angles from every section of the venue.
The Snake Pit refers to the floor area directly surrounding the center stage. This location provides the closest possible view of the band during their performance and puts fans in the middle of the action.
Concert structure typically follows this format:
- Doors open: 2-3 hours before Metallica’s set time
- Opening bands: Begin shortly after doors open
- Metallica performance: Usually starts 2-3 hours after doors open
- Total duration: Approximately 2.5-3 hours including all acts
Enhanced experiences are available at most venues, offering various levels of access and amenities. These packages may include early venue entry, premium seating locations, Snake Pit access, exclusive merchandise, and sometimes meet-and-greet opportunities, though availability varies by location.
Ticket information and presale dates
The metallica 2026 tour schedule includes specific dates for ticket sales and fan access opportunities.
Fan club presale access
Metallica Fan Club members receive presale access beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 9 AM local time. Fan club membership includes early ticket access, exclusive content, and special merchandise offers. Membership information is available through Metallica’s official website.
General public sales
General ticket sales begin Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10 AM local time across all venues. Creating accounts with ticket providers before the sale date can streamline the purchasing process when sales open.
No Repeat Weekend ticketing
No Repeat Weekend shows offer discounted two-day ticket packages for fans attending both nights. Single-day tickets for these weekend shows become available starting July 25, 2025, for those who cannot attend both performances.
VIP packages
Enhanced experience packages are offered at most metallica concert 2026 venues. These typically include:
- Early entry: Access to the venue before general admission
- Premium seating: Snake Pit access or other preferred locations
- Exclusive merchandise: Items not available to general ticket holders
- Meet-and-greet: Limited availability, varies by venue
Package availability and specific inclusions vary by location and venue capacity.
Celebrate with official tour merchandise
The Metallica M72 Europe 2026 tour offers fans the opportunity to commemorate these concerts with event-specific merchandise. Tour items include shirts, hoodies, hats, and accessories that reference specific dates and venues from the European leg.
Limited-edition pieces connect to individual shows or cities on the tour schedule, allowing fans to mark the exact date and location they attended. These items reflect the themes and imagery associated with the M72 tour and each specific venue.
Current Metallica merchandise celebrating the 2026 European tour is available at Metbrick’s online store, featuring officially inspired designs that capture the spirit of live Metallica performances.
FAQs about Metallica’s 2026 European tour
Does Metallica play completely different songs at No Repeat Weekend shows?
Yes, Metallica performs entirely different setlists on each night of No Repeat Weekends, with no songs repeated between the two shows in the same city.
Which opening bands perform at One Night Only versus No Repeat Weekend shows?
One Night Only shows feature Gojira and Knocked Loose as opening acts, while No Repeat Weekend shows feature Pantera and Avatar as the supporting bands.
How long before Metallica’s set do the opening bands start performing?
Opening bands typically begin performing 1-2 hours after doors open, with Metallica taking the stage approximately 2-3 hours after doors open, depending on the venue and number of opening acts.
What cities haven’t hosted Metallica concerts in over 10 years?
Athens (last show in 2010), Chorzów (last show in 2008), and Cardiff (last show in 1996) represent the longest gaps between Metallica performances on this tour.
Are enhanced experience packages available at all venues on the 2026 tour?
Enhanced experience packages are offered at most venues, though specific inclusions and availability vary by location and venue capacity limitations.