Metallica Rumored to Melt Faces at the Sphere During Super Bowl Weekend
via MJT LIVE / YouTube
Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich recently opened up about the band’s interest in performing at the futuristic Las Vegas Sphere. While he stopped short of confirming any residency, his excitement about the venue was unmistakable.
Speaking with Howard Stern, Ulrich said:
“I’m not confirming anything just yet, because honestly, there’s nothing official. But I’m not shutting it down either. We’re huge fans of the Sphere. Our managers and crew have checked it out, and it’s definitely on our radar after we wrap the 2026 tour.”
Ulrich was among the lucky few to witness U2’s inaugural show at the Sphere last year and was utterly impressed.
“I wanted to see it live, not just on YouTube. Like everyone there, I was blown away. It felt like a whole new era for live shows had begun.”
With no filter, he added:
“I’d absolutely love to play there. It’s not signed or anything, but if you ask me, that’d be amazing.”
The chat came as Metallica announced their own SiriusXM station, Maximum Metallica, launching August 29. They’ll also headline a special club gig in the Hamptons the night before.
The Sphere: The Future of Live Music Experiences
The Las Vegas Sphere isn’t just another venue — it’s a colossal $1.8 billion, 17,500-seat spherical arena packed with cutting-edge tech. It offers a staggering 160,000 square feet of video screens, next-level spatial audio, and a programmable LED exterior that can morph the building’s entire look.
After U2 broke it in with a mind-blowing multimedia show, other big names like Phish, Dead and Company, and the Eagles have followed. The Eagles are even slated for a dozen more dates there this fall.
Could Metallica Rock the Super Bowl in San Francisco?
When asked about the possibility of headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in their hometown, Lars didn’t hold back. “Hell yes! That’d be a dream come true and a perfect fit,” he said. “We haven’t been asked yet, but we’ve been representing San Francisco around the world for decades. It just makes sense. But ultimately, it’s not up to us.”
Metallica is gearing up for a six-show tour across Australia and New Zealand in November 2025, followed by a European run in summer 2026. Their latest album, 72 Seasons, dropped in April 2023.
