The Sphere is changing what bands want to do. The glitzy lights might seem more welcoming to pop bands like Coldplay (which hasn't yet done a residency at the venue), but it is seemingly the rock bands that get the best out of Las Vegas. Metallica is the newest to say they will play a bunch of dates at the Sphere.
After finishing a European leg of their current tour, the pioneers of thrash will move their gear to Vegasfor eight shows, all occurring in October. If you have been waiting to take a trip to the gambling capital of the world, you can now start buying airline tickets. Metallica at the Sphere seems to be a perfect combination.
To succeed at the venue, a band needs to be able to put on a full lights display. The location has 160,000 square feet of video viewing space as well as an audio system that is clean and bombastic. U2 was the first band to ever play the venue, which they did in 2023, and thankfully, they helped set the tone for what is capable.
Metallica announces 2026 dates to play the Sphere in Las Vegas
And James Hetfield and his mates should be able to give fans the full Sphere experience. Their sound will fill the venue, the screens behind and above them will allow for an elite sensory experience, and the shows should be 2-3 hours of an adrenaline rush.
Tickets for the shows below vary in terms of what fans might want. Travel + VIP packages were made available on February 27. If you want to make your own travel plans, seated registration pre-sale tickets will start being sold on March 3. General public sales begin on March 6.
Metallica will be the first metal band to perform at the Sphere. Besides U2, the Eagles, Phish, and Dead and Company have all done separate shows at the location. U2 might be difficult to beat as far as quality at the Sphere, but Metallica might be able to top them.
Metallica 2026 dates at the Sphere in Las Vegas:
- Oct. 1 and 3:Â The Sphere, Las Vegas
- Oct. 15 and 17:Â The Sphere, Las Vegas
- Oct. 22 and 24:Â The Sphere, Las Vegas
- Oct. 29 and 31: The Sphere, Las Vegas