Though nothing is officially announced yet, numerous reputable outlets report that Metallica is in advanced talks to book a residency at the Sphere in fall 2026. Betting markets, particularly in the UK, currently list Metallica as the 6/1 favorites to be the next artist headlining the Sphere.
The Sphere at The Venetian stands at the cutting edge of live entertainment. With a 17,600‑seat capacity and a 160,000‑square‑foot 16K LED wraparound screen, it offers an immersive visual environment unlike any other. Its Sphere Immersive Sound system, powered by Holoplot technology, delivers pinpoint or directional audio to every seat. This makes it an ideal venue for a band like Metallica—known for their sonic intensity and large-scale live visual flair.
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has been particularly vocal about the band’s interest. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said, “Oh, heck, yeah!” when asked about performing at the Sphere, seeing it as “a great example of how venues are changing” with technology integrated into production. He’s envisioned Metallica staging a “crazy experience” there.
The Sphere opened in late September 2023 and has already hosted major residencies by U2, Phish, Dead & Company, The Eagles, Kenny Chesney, and even Backstreet Boys. Metallica would further raise the bar as the first heavy metal act to anchor a residency there.
Reports suggest the residency could begin in fall 2026, shortly after Metallica’s massive M72 World Tour wraps up its European leg in July 2026. This timing aligns with both the band’s schedule and the availability of the venue post-tour.
What a Metallica Residency Could Look Like:
Visual extravaganza: Utilizing the Sphere’s 360° LED system to project thematic visuals synced to songs like “Master of Puppets”, “Enter Sandman”, or “Nothing Else Matters.”
Audio immersion: Metallica could exploit the precision of immersive sound to deliver bone‑shaking audio from all around the audience.
Setlist flexibility: Multiple shows could allow rotating themes—deep dive into classics, rare tracks, or concept-heavy performances.
Production scale: Expect AI‑driven visual effects, pyrotechnics, synchronized lighting—and perhaps elements tied into their upcoming album and 767 riffs reportedly written by Hammett for the next record.
Media coverage uses colorful analogies to describe the buzz—one report called the prospect of a Metallica residency at the Sphere like “having an electric eel shoved down one’s pants, but in a good way”.
While no official dates or contracts have yet been confirmed, there’s mounting evidence that Metallica is seriously eyeing a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in fall 2026.
With the band’s own enthusiasm, leading betting odds, and a venue tailor‑made for immersive audio‑visual spectacle, a Metallica run at The Sphere would likely redefine what a live-metal residency looks like. Fans should keep an eye out for announcements in the coming months as tour and theatre schedules firm up.
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