METALLICA OPEN 'LIFE BURNS FASTER' SPHERE RESIDENCY IN LAS VEGAS — FIRST METAL BAND TO PLAY THE SPHERE

Metallica launched their Life Burns Faster residency at the Las Vegas Sphere on October 1, 2026, in what is being widely reported as a historic first: they are the first metal band ever to play the venue. U2, Phish, Dead & Company, and the Eagles preceded them at the futuristic dome, but it took metal's biggest band to give the Sphere its heaviest nights yet. With 24 shows on the books and a No Repeat Weekend format, every night of the run promises to be a different beast.

Image: Metallica

Residency Facts

Residency: Life Burns Faster
Venue: Sphere, Las Vegas
Dates: 24 shows, October 1, 2026 through March 13, 2027 (Oct 1/3/8/10/15/17/22/24/29/31, Nov 5/7, then Jan 28–Mar 13, 2027)
Format: No Repeat Weekend — Thursday + Saturday paired shows, no songs repeated within a weekend
Historic first: first metal band ever to play the Sphere (widely reported)
Quote: James Hetfield: "This is a dream come true and beyond … After 45 years, there is still much fun to be had." (attributed via USA Today/Bravewords)
Merch: adidas x Metallica "Life Burns Faster" capsule collection (first official adidas brand collab), launched Sept 30, 2026, $40–$120

Opening Night Setlist Highlights

The 16-song opening night (October 1, 2026) delivered big moments for longtime fans:

1. Battery — opened the show, the first time the band has opened with it since 2014.
2. …And Justice for All — played for the first time since 2014.
3. Now That We're Dead — first performance since 2021.
4. The Call of Ktulu — dedicated to late bassist Cliff Burton.
5. Master of Puppets — closed the night.

Also on the night: Creeping Death, Sad but True, The Shortest Straw, Wherever I May Roam, The Day That Never Comes, Nothing Else Matters, Lux Æterna, Ride the Lightning, The Memory Remains, and Seek & Destroy — plus a Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo doodle.

What's Next

The residency was announced on February 25, 2026 with the first 8 dates, and expanded to 24 shows by March 5. Demand has been fierce: resale prices ranged from $672 to $912 as of September 2026, according to reports. With paired Thursday and Saturday shows running through March 13, 2027, fans can expect a different setlist on each night of every weekend. In other rock headlines, Rod Stewart announces The Final Encore farewell tour, Slash announces The Flying Blind album, and Kid Rock's Halfway 2 Jesus album.

Watch the official trailer below:

FAQ

When are the Metallica Sphere shows?
The run spans 24 shows from October 1, 2026 through March 13, 2027 (Oct 1/3/8/10/15/17/22/24/29/31, Nov 5/7, then Jan 28–Mar 13, 2027).

Why is this residency historic?
Metallica are the first metal band ever to play the Sphere, as widely reported — U2, Phish, Dead & Company, and the Eagles all played the venue before them.

What is the No Repeat Weekend format?
Thursday + Saturday paired shows with no songs repeated within a weekend, so each night gets its own setlist.

What did opening night feature?
"Battery" as the opener, "…And Justice for All" for the first time since 2014, "The Call of Ktulu" dedicated to Cliff Burton, and "Master of Puppets" as the closer.