According to reports, Metallica may be considering a Las Vegas Sphere residency.
The publication Vital Vegas first reported the rumor, stating they learned ‘from sources’ that the band are preparing to sign a deal with the venue. The only details they’ve learned is that the residency could take place in the fall of 2026; as of press time, however, there is no official confirmation from Metallica or the Sphere about the accuracy of this report.
The Las Vegas Sphere opened September 2023, with U2 being the first group to play the venue across two separate residencies. Phish, Dead & Company, and the Eagles have also played residencies at the arena, with other artists including Kenny Chesney, Backstreet Boys, and Zac Brown Band performing there as well
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett expressed his interest in playing the venue earlier this year in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. After being asked if Metallica had would consider performing there, Hammett said: “Oh heck, yeah! That’s a great example of how venues are changing. That’s using modern technology to the fullest, to really up the levels of production and entertainment, connected to AI and making it a crazy experience.”
In a later conversation with Howard Stern, drummer Lars Ulrich spoke on the rumors, stating in part: “I’m not going to confirm anything, because there’s nothing to confirm. But I’m not going to deny it, because we’re all such fans of this venue. All of our managers and our production people have been there and looked at it. It’s something that we’re considering, [but] nothing is etched in stone or green-lit. It’s something that we’re looking at at some point when the 2026 tour is done … I would f**ing love to do it, let there be no question about it. It’s not signed, sealed and delivered, but speaking to me and asking my opinion, I would f**ing love to do it.”
The next leg of Metallica’s M72 World Tour kicks off this November in Australia, and after a short break the band will return to Europe next spring.
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