Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich addressed the swirling rumors of a potential Las Vegas Sphere residency on today’s episode of “The Howard Stern Show“. While the metal icon did not officially confirm any plans, he expressed a strong personal interest in the idea, stating that the band is actively considering it.
The speculation about a Metallica residency at the futuristic venue has been building since a report from the Las Vegas news outlet Vital Vegas indicated that the band was “ready to ink a deal” for a fall 2026 run. This would follow the conclusion of their massive M72 world tour, which is set to finish with a European leg in July 2026. Prior to Ulrich’s comments, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett had already expressed his enthusiasm for playing the Sphere in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Oh, heck, yeah!” Hammett said. “That’s a great example of how venues are changing. That’s using modern technology to the fullest, to really up the levels of production and entertainment, connected to A.I. and making it a crazy experience.”
Ulrich confirmed that the band has been paying close attention to the venue. “I’m not going to confirm anything, because there’s nothing to confirm. But I’m not going to deny it, because we’re all such fans of this venue. All of our managers and our production people have been there and looked at it. It’s something that we’re considering, [but] nothing is etched in stone or green-lit. It’s something that we’re looking at at some point when the 2026 tour is done.”
Ulrich went on to share his personal experience seeing U2‘s residency, the first to take place at the venue, and how it left a lasting impression. “I was there seeing U2 the first night, when they took that stage, I wanted to see it for myself before I saw it on YouTube or read about it. I was there, like everybody else that was there that night, I was completely blown away, and felt that was the beginning of another chapter in live performances.”
When pressed by Stern for his personal opinion, Ulrich was unequivocal. “I’m not going to bulls**t you, I would f**king love to do it, let there be no question about it. It’s not signed, sealed and delivered, but speaking to me and asking my opinion, I would f**king love to do it.”
The drummer also responded to a separate question about whether Metallica would be interested in performing at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which will be held in the band’s hometown of San Francisco. “F**k yeah — of course we would. First of all, we would do it. Second of all, to do it in San Francisco would be a dream come true and would be the right fit. We haven’t been approached. … Certainly as somebody who’s represented San Francisco all over the world and shouted for decades about San Francisco and our love for the Bay Area, that part of it is the right fit. Ultimately it’s not our decision.”
