Right. Metallica at London Stadium. 3 and 5 July 2026. Two nights. Two completely different shows. And – here’s the bit that makes this genuinely historic – these are the final dates of the entire M72 World Tour.
The biggest metal band on the planet closing out one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history, right here in Stratford.
Photo: Brett Murray
Who Are Metallica? (A Brief History for the Uninitiated)
Metallica have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide. Their 1991 self-titled Black Album is the best-selling metal album of all time, full stop – over 20 million copies in the US alone. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, and completed by guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, they have spent over four decades at the absolute top of heavy metal without ever showing the slightest sign of slowing down.
Master of Puppets. …And Justice for All. The Black Album. Death Magnetic. If you know metal, you know these records. If you don’t know metal yet – well, London Stadium on a Friday night in July is quite the introduction.
Their live shows are a different proposition from most concerts. Three hours. Production on a genuinely colossal scale. A band that clearly still has everything to prove every single time they step on a stage. They are, in the most proper sense of the word, brilliant at this.
The M72 World Tour
The M72 World Tour launched in April 2023 in support of Metallica’s eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons – the title referencing the 72 seasons of childhood (18 years) that shape who we become as adults. Poetic stuff for a band best known for riffs that could rattle your fillings loose.
By December 2025, the tour had grossed $517.5 million from 70 shows, with 4.23 million people in attendance. That makes it the 17th highest-grossing concert tour in history. And it all ends in London. On our doorstep.
Photo: Brett Murray
The “No Repeat Weekend” – Two Completely Different Shows
Here’s the bit that makes attending both nights an absolute no-brainer. Metallica’s “No Repeat Weekend” concept means each show has a completely different setlist – not a single song repeated across the two nights – with different support acts on each bill.
Friday 3 July 2026: Gojira and Knocked Loose supporting Sunday 5 July 2026: Pantera and Avatar supporting
Go to both. Hear completely different shows. Stand at the final two dates of one of the biggest concert tours in history. It’s a pretty easy sell, honestly.
Metallica at London Stadium Dates
Metallica play London Stadium on Friday 3 July 2026 and Sunday 5 July 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST. With a concert capacity of up to 80,000, it’s one of the biggest outdoor stages in the UK – and for a production the scale of the M72 tour, that space is going to feel completely alive.
Photo: Brett Murray
Getting to Metallica at London Stadium
Leave the car at home. Stratford station is your friend – served by the Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail, with London Stadium just a 15-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. West Ham station on the Hammersmith & City and District lines is another option if it’s more direct from where you’re coming.
Road closures and near-zero parking make driving on concert days a nightmare that no amount of Metallica hype is worth. Get the tube.
Get There Early and Make a Day of It – Draughts London Stratford
Here’s the thing about a Metallica show that starts in the evening – you’ve got the whole day to build up to it properly. And if you’re coming to both nights, you’ve got a full weekend in one of London’s most exciting neighbourhoods.
We’re Draughts London Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk, London E20 2AS, right inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – just a few minutes’ walk from London Stadium. We’re a bar, restaurant and board game café with over 1,000 games and proper food and drinks served at your table. On M72 World Tour nights, frankly, there’s no better place to land.
Book a table, order food and drinks, and pick something from the games library. Which brings us to the important question…
Photo: Jeff Yeager
Tips for the M72 Shows
- Book your Draughts table in advance. Both nights. Do it now. Seriously.
- Arrive early. Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar are all brilliant live acts in their own right – not support acts to miss while you’re still outside.
- Go to both nights. Different setlists. Different support acts. Final two shows of the whole tour. You know what to do.
- Consider ear protection. Metallica at full volume in an 80,000-capacity stadium is a spectacular experience – and looking after your hearing is genuinely sensible. Small foam earplugs take the edge off the frequencies that tire your ears without dulling the show.
- Check bag policies on the official London Stadium website before you head in.
- The walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is part of the occasion. Especially on the July evenings, it’s a genuinely brilliant approach to a gig.
Frequently asked questions about Metallica at London Stadium
When is Metallica at London Stadium?
Friday 3 July 2026 and Sunday 5 July 2026. Both nights at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford.
Are these the last dates of the M72 World Tour?
Yes – the London Stadium shows are the final two dates of the entire M72 World Tour. The tour concludes in London on 5 July 2026.
What is Metallica’s “No Repeat Weekend”?
Each show in a city features a completely different setlist, with not a single song repeated across the two nights. The support acts are also different on each night. Attending both shows means two entirely separate experiences.
Who is supporting Metallica at London Stadium?
Gojira and Knocked Loose support on 3 July. Pantera and Avatar support on 5 July.
How much has the M72 World Tour grossed?
$517.5 million from 70 shows as of December 2025, making it the 17th highest-grossing concert tour in history.
How do I get to London Stadium for Metallica?
Stratford station – Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail. Approximately a 15-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the stadium. Public transport only on concert days.
Is there somewhere to eat and drink near London Stadium before Metallica?
That’s us! Draughts London Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Bar, restaurant and 1,000+ board games, just minutes from the stadium. Book ahead – tables go fast on concert days.
Are there any rock or Metallica themed board games to play before the gig?
Brilliantly, yes. There’s an official Metallica edition of Cluedo where you play as characters based on the band members. Ask the Draughts team when you arrive for their recommendations – they know the full 1,000+ library and will find you something perfect for the occasion.
How many albums has Metallica sold?
Over 150 million worldwide. The Black Album alone has shifted over 20 million copies in the US – the best-selling metal album ever recorded.
Is it worth going to both Metallica at London Stadium nights?
Absolutely. The No Repeat Weekend format means completely different setlists and different support acts on each night. Plus you’d be attending the final two shows of a tour that’s grossed over half a billion dollars. Don’t think too hard about it.
