Metallica set a new attendance record for the largest stadium concert ever held in Germany when 94,000 fans packed Berlin’s Olympiastadion on May 30, according to The Berliner. The previous mark was set by U2, who drew just over 90,000 concertgoers to the venue in 2009. For most live events, Olympiastadion’s capacity is typically limited to around 72,000 attendees.
During Metallica’s show Berlin, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo performed a cover of the Rammstein classic “Sonne”.
The unique performance is a staple of a recurring live feature on the band’s current global run. At each tour stop, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo utilize a dedicated segment in the setlist, affectionately referred to by the band as “doodles,” to perform stripped-down, bass-and-guitar interpretations of songs by their musical heroes or local icons. Often, the duo selects tracks that fall far outside of the group’s traditional thrash metal sound, with Robert Trujillo occasionally stepping up to provide the vocals.
Metallica officially launched the “M72” world tour in Amsterdam in April 2023 to support their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons. Since then, the heavy metal titans have performed for an estimated four million fans worldwide.
Metallica also launched a new public health initiative involving All Within My Hands foundation, the Welsh Blood Service, England’s NHS Blood And Transplant, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. The collaboration represents the first time blood services across the United Kingdom have partnered with a global rock act on this scale to encourage blood and plasma donations.
The campaign urges fans to donate blood surrounding Metallica‘s upcoming U.K. stadium dates in June and July. The initiative highlights the constant necessity for blood products, which carry a shelf life of 35 days, to assist trauma victims, cancer patients, new mothers, and individuals with long-term medical conditions.
Established in 2017, the All Within My Hands foundation has raised more than $20 million to address food insecurity, disaster response, and vocational education. A portion of ticket sales from every concert on the tour is routinely allocated to local charities. The foundation has actively promoted blood donation drives throughout the “M72” tour cycle, previously resulting in fans donating 152 units of blood during a single tour stop in Philadelphia.
Metallica Upcoming 2026 U.K. Tour Dates:
- June 25 – Glasgow, Scotland – Hampden Park
- June 28 – Cardiff, Wales – Principality Stadium
- July 03 – London, England – London Stadium
- July 05 – London, England – London Stadium
Metallica Remaining 2026 European Tour Dates:
- June 03 – Bologna, Italy – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
- June 11 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena
- June 13 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Arena
- June 19 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
- June 21 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
Following their remaining dates in Europe this summer, the band is scheduled to return to North America later this year for a highly anticipated residency in Las Vegas.
