Metallica announces 2026 Las Vegas shows at the Sphere: Dates and how to get tickets

Formed in a Los Angeles garage in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist-guitarist James Hetfield, Metallica has spent more than four decades redefining what a live rock show can be — from club stages to sold-out stadiums on every continent. Now, the band is stepping into a venue that didn't exist when they first plugged in. 

Metallica has officially announced “Life Burns Faster,” a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere running across four weekends in October 2026. The residency name is pulled from a lyric in “Master of Puppets,” and the concept matches the intensity of that track's legacy. 

Metallica will be the first hard rock or metal band to headline the Sphere, following residencies from U2, Phish, Dead & Company and the Eagles. The eight shows follow the band's signature "No Repeat Weekend" format, meaning if you attend both the Thursday and Saturday shows in a given weekend, you won't hear the same song twice. 

With the Sphere's unique atmosphere, this residency promises to present Metallica's five-decade catalog in dimensions no arena or stadium has ever delivered.

Metallica’s “Life Burns Faster” Sphere 2026 dates

All eight “Life Burns Faster” shows follow a Thursday/Saturday pairing across four consecutive weekends at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

When is the presale for Metallica's Sphere residency?

There are multiple presales specifically for show tickets to “Life Burns Faster.” The Metallica fan club presales run on Monday, March 2 (with Legacy and Fifth Member windows between 7:00 a.m. PT and 4:00 p.m. PT, depending on the weekend) and stay open until midday on Tuesday, March 3, covering standard tickets plus select premium options with a four-ticket limit per show.

The Ticketmaster Artist Presale requires registration by Monday, March 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT and then runs from Tuesday, March 3 to Thursday, March 5, with staggered start and end times for the October 1–24 shows versus the October 29 and 31 shows.

If you want more details, here is a full presale guide for how to maximize your chances to see Metallica at the Sphere.

When do Metallica Sphere tickets go on sale?

Two-Night and Single-Night Tickets for Metallica’s Life Burns Faster residency go on sale to the general public Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. PT.

If your preferred primary sale sells out or you miss your presale window, you can still grab verified resale tickets on SeatGeek right up to show day, backed by SeatGeek’s Buyer Guarantee for valid tickets and on-time delivery.

What to expect at Metallica's Life Burns Faster residency

The collision of Metallica's raw live power and the Sphere's immersive technology is unlike anything heavy music has seen before. Here's what the experience looks like from every angle.

The Sphere experience

The Sphere features the world's highest-resolution LED display, wrapping up, over and around the audience to create a fully immersive visual environment. Its spatial audio system delivers sound with pinpoint clarity to every seat in the venue. Multi-sensory 4D technology adds haptic and environmental effects that extend the experience beyond sight and sound alone.

Production elements

Metallica's residency will feature custom visual content designed specifically for the Sphere's capabilities. Lars Ulrich described the inspiration behind the project: "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." Bassist Robert Trujillo echoed that excitement, noting the visual possibilities for songs like 'Orion' and calling the residency "a dream come true."

Setlist expectations

“Life Burns Faster” setlists will span Metallica's entire catalog, from “Kill 'Em All” through “72 Seasons.” The "No Repeat Weekend" format means Thursday and Saturday shows within the same weekend will feature completely different songs — a tradition the band carried throughout the M72 World Tour. Expect a mix of staples like 'Enter Sandman' and 'One' alongside deep cuts and surprises, all enhanced by the Sphere's immersive technology.

When does Metallica's Sphere residency start?

The “Life Burns Faster” residency opens on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Opening night kicks off the first of four Thursday/Saturday weekend pairings that run through the end of the month.

When does Metallica's Sphere residency end?

The final show of “Life Burns Faster” falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026 — Halloween night at the Sphere. Given the demand for previous Sphere residencies, additional dates could be added if the initial eight shows sell through quickly. No one would be surprised to see Metallica extend the run.

How to get Metallica Sphere tickets on SeatGeek

With only eight shows on the “Life Burns Faster” schedule, locking in your spot means being ready when tickets drop. SeatGeek keeps the process straightforward from search to entry.

1. Find your show: Search for Metallica on SeatGeek and select the October date that works for you — whether that's opening night or the Halloween finale.

2. See the real price: Every listing on SeatGeek shows all-in pricing, so the number you see is the number you pay. No hidden fees appear at checkout.

3. Use Deal Score to compare: SeatGeek's Deal Score rates every ticket based on value relative to similar seats, which is especially useful for a high-demand residency where pricing can vary widely across sections.

4. Check out securely: Complete your purchase in a few clicks, backed by SeatGeek's Buyer Guarantee for valid tickets and on-time delivery.

5. Go mobile: Access your “Life Burns Faster” tickets instantly in the SeatGeek app — no printing, no will-call lines, just scan and walk in.

For a venue as unique as the Sphere, SeatGeek's interactive seat maps help you understand exactly what your vantage point will look like before you commit. Browse all available Metallica Sphere tickets on SeatGeek and pick the night that fits — just don't sleep on it. Eight shows of Metallica inside the Sphere is the kind of thing you tell people about for the rest of your life.