Metallica have officially announced one of the most ambitious live music events of 2026: an eight‑show residency at the high‑tech Las Vegas Sphere dubbed Metallica: Life Burns Faster. The legendary metal band confirmed the run on February 25, 2026, putting to rest months of speculation and marking the first time a heavy metal act will headline the iconic venue in “Sin City.”
The residency is scheduled to take place over four weekends in October, with two shows each Thursday and Saturday that will feature completely unique set lists — a continuation of the band’s No Repeat Weekend tradition they showcased on their M72 World Tour.
Metallica: Life Burns Faster at the Las Vegas Sphere will be held on:
- October 1 & 3, 2026
- October 15 & 17, 2026
- October 22 & 24, 2026
- October 29 & 31, 2026 (Halloween finale)
Each pair of shows counts as a No Repeat Weekend, meaning fans who attend both nights of a weekend will hear a completely different set list each evening — no song will be repeated between the Thursday and Saturday shows.
The Las Vegas Sphere at The Venetian Resort — one of the most technologically advanced performance spaces in the world — features a massive high‑resolution LED wraparound display and Sphere Immersive Sound technology designed to deliver audio with unmatched clarity and immersive 3D sound to every seat.
Metallica’s residency will harness these capabilities to create an experience that blends the band’s powerful live performance with cutting‑edge visuals and multi‑sensory effects, giving fans a concert experience unlike any other.
Co‑founder and drummer Lars Ulrich explained the band’s excitement about performing at the Sphere, recalling how he felt at the venue’s opening night with U2:
“About 12 seconds into the opening night of Sphere with U2 back in ’23, I thought, ‘We have to do this — it’s completely uncharted territory!’”
“This residency gives us another chance to reinvent how we interact with our fans in a live setting. We are beyond excited to share this with the world in six months’ time, and way f***in’ psyched to go next level!”
The title Life Burns Faster comes from a lyric in Metallica’s classic “Master of Puppets,” underlining the band’s connection to their own legacy while also hinting at the intensity and heat of the performances fans can expect.
Tickets for the residency — including two‑night weekend passes and single‑night options — go on general sale on March 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT.
Before the general sale, fans can register for presales beginning with travel and VIP presales on February 27 at 2 p.m. ET, followed by a seated presale registration on March 3 at 10 a.m. ET.
The band’s official portal also offers information about enhanced experiences, travel packages and ticket registration — giving fans multiple ways to secure seats for what’s expected to be a highly sought‑after residency.
Metallica’s residency at the Sphere is a major milestone for both the band and the venue. It places one of metal’s biggest acts at the center of a venue that has become known for pushing the boundaries of live entertainment, following residencies by artists like U2, Eagles, Dead & Company, No Doubt and Phish.
For Metallica, the residency represents an opportunity to push past conventional touring into something more immersive and theatrical, blending their rich catalog with visuals and audio technology that matches the power and scope of their music.
With eight shows spread throughout October, Life Burns Faster is shaping up to be one of the most talked‑about live music events of 2026 — a residency that doesn’t just celebrate heavy metal’s stature, but reimagines how it can be presented in the modern age.
