Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has confirmed that the band is actively considering a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere following the conclusion of their ongoing M72 World Tour, which is set to run through 2026. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show while promoting their new SiriusXM channel, Mandatory Metallica, Ulrich addressed recent speculation about the band’s potential plans for the state-of-the-art venue.
“There’s nothing to confirm,” Ulrich said, “but we’re all such fans of this venue, it’s something that we’re looking at at some point when the 2026 tour is done.” While he clarified that no formal plans had been made, he expressed clear enthusiasm about the idea. “I would f***ing love to do it. Let there be no question about it,” he added.
Ulrich attended U2’s opening night at the Sphere in Las Vegas and described the experience as transformative, calling it “the beginning of another chapter in live performances.” He noted that the scale and immersive technology of the venue represent a new frontier in live entertainment, something Metallica is closely watching.
Guitarist Kirk Hammett had also praised the Sphere earlier this year, describing it as symbolic of the evolution of live venues and an example of how technology and production are changing audience expectations. Though no official timeline has been shared, industry sources suggest that a potential Sphere run could take place in the fall of 2026, after Metallica wraps their worldwide tour.
In the same interview, Ulrich also addressed speculation about a possible performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, near the band’s hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area. “F*** yeah—of course we would,” he said, noting that the timing and location would be ideal. However, he emphasized that such decisions rest with the NFL and event organizers.
Ahead of their next major tour leg, Metallica is also set to play an intimate show at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, New York, on August 28, to coincide with the launch of their SiriusXM channel the following day. The limited-capacity venue will host one of the band’s smallest performances in decades, offering a sharp contrast to their current run of sold-out stadiums.
With the M72 World Tour currently underway across Europe and North America, talk of a possible Sphere residency signals a new direction for how established bands like Metallica might approach live shows in the years ahead. Though nothing has been formally announced, Ulrich’s remarks make it clear that the band is seriously considering more immersive, technologically advanced performance formats after their touring schedule wraps in 2026.