What Time Is Metallica On at London Stadium on 3 & 5 July 2026? Tickets, Setlists & Travel

Two nights, two completely different shows, and the very last dates of one of the biggest tours in music history — Metallica close out their record-breaking M72 World Tour with a No Repeat Weekend at the London Stadium in Stratford, and if you only read one paragraph, read this one. The thrash legends headline the London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2026, with doors and the stadium opening from late afternoon and the show running across the evening to an approximate 22:30 curfew; the two nights carry entirely separate setlists and different support acts — Gojira and Knocked Loose on 3 July, Pantera and Avatar on 5 July — around an in-the-round stage in the middle of the pitch, tickets are sold as single-day or discounted two-day options through official sellers only, there is no public parking so Stratford station and the Elizabeth, Central and Jubilee lines are the way in and out, and — crucially for anyone in the area — these are the final two dates of the entire M72 tour, as confirmed to The WP Times by the official tour listings and the venue. Everything else you need — exact timings, both setlist pictures, ticket types, the Stratford travel plan and the post-show escape — is below.

This is not a routine stadium gig. Metallica's M72 production is built around a circular stage that sits in the centre of the bowl, ringed by the crowd, and the band's "No Repeat Weekend" concept means the Friday and Sunday crowds hear two genuinely different concerts. Add the fact that London is where the whole tour ends, and the weekend takes on the feel of an event rather than a date. In this guide, The WP Times walks through the timings, the ticketing, the two bills, the in-the-round format, and the practical Stratford logistics that decide whether your night runs smoothly — from which Tube line to take home to why ear protection is a sensible shout in an 80,000-capacity stadium.

At a glance: Metallica at London Stadium 2026

What time is Metallica on at London Stadium

Both London shows fall on the evening, with the official event listings showing a 19:00 start time attached to the single-day tickets for Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July. In practice, that headline "start" marks the published event time; the stadium opens earlier for entry and security, the support acts play across the early-to-mid evening, and Metallica take the stage later, building to the approximate 22:30 curfew that London Stadium applies to its concerts.

Metallica themselves have a long-running ritual that tells you the headline set is imminent: the lights drop and The Ecstasy of Gold — Ennio Morricone's theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly — plays over the PA, with the whole stadium humming along before the band hit the stage. When you hear it, you're seconds from the first riff.

The WP Times' timing rule: treat the published 19:00 as your "be inside and settled" time, not your "leave home" time. Exact stage times are released closer to the shows and always appear on the official event page — check them in the final week, because support-slot timings shift.

Indicative running order

Stage times are confirmed late, but a stadium bill of this size typically runs two support acts before the headliner. For both London nights, expect the openers from late afternoon/early evening, the main support before the headline change-over, and Metallica's set — comfortably the longest of the night at well over two hours — taking you to the curfew.

Order indicative; confirm on the official event page before travelling.

No Repeat Weekend: two nights, two different setlists

The single most important thing to understand about this weekend is the "No Repeat Weekend" format. Across the two London nights, not a single song is repeated, and the support acts are different on each bill. Go to both, and you get two entirely separate concerts rather than the same show twice — which is exactly why the band offers a discounted two-day ticket.

On Friday 3 July, Metallica are supported by Gojira — the French metal heavyweights known for their technical, rhythmic, groove-laden sound — and Knocked Loose, the Kentucky hardcore band who have become one of heavy music's most ferocious live draws. On Sunday 5 July, the bill switches entirely to Pantera and Avatar, a heavier, groove-metal-leaning line-up.

Metallica's own setlists across the M72 run draw on more than four decades of material. There are songs the band almost always plays — the likes of Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets are fixtures — but they mix the rest heavily, dipping into Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, ...And Justice for All, the Black Album and the newer 72 Seasons. The recent run has even featured acoustic-leaning rarities and covers, including a live revival of Diamond Head's Helpless. The upshot: across two nights you'll likely hear the career-defining anthems split between the bills, plus deep cuts that rarely surface.

If you're choosing one night, choose on the support bill and your own diary — the headline quality is a given either way. If you can do both, the two-day ticket is the value play: two different setlists, the last two shows of the tour, and no repeats.

The in-the-round stage: where to stand

M72 uses a circular stage in the centre of the stadium, with the crowd wrapped fully around it. There is no traditional "front" — the band moves around the ring, and the production (including the tour's signature tower screens and pyro) is designed to be seen from 360 degrees. Practically, that changes how you pick your spot:

• General admission floor (the ring): closest to the band and the most intense atmosphere, but you commit to standing for the whole night.
• Lower-tier seats: a clear, elevated view of the whole stage and production — good if you want to take in the full spectacle.
• Snake Pit / enhanced areas: Metallica's Enhanced Experiences include premium positions and extras such as early entry, lounge access and tours; details and availability sit with the official seller.

Because the stage is central, there are no genuinely bad sightlines — even seats behind the stage get a full half of the show facing them. Pick comfort versus intensity, not "left or right."

Metallica London Stadium 2026 tickets: types and where to buy

Tickets are sold by the official partners — Ticketmaster and Live Nation in the UK — in two core formats:

• 1-Day tickets: for Friday 3 July or Sunday 5 July individually.
• 2-Day tickets: a discounted combined ticket for both nights (Fri 3 + Sun 5 July) — the cheapest way to see both and hear no repeats.

Beyond standard admission, Metallica offer Enhanced Experiences — meet-and-greet, production and stage tours, the Black Box Lounge for food and drink, Snake Pit passes and early entry — bookable via the official experiences partner. There's also the cross-tour "I Disappear" ticket (formerly the "Black Ticket"), an all-access pass with early entry for fans following the band across multiple M72 shows. Accessible tickets are available through the venue and primary ticket agent.

Buy official, always. Metallica and Live Nation are explicit that unauthorised resale is not permitted, and touted tickets risk being invalid. If a date has sold out, use the official ticket exchange or face-value resale — never an unofficial site, or you may be turned away at the gate.

Getting to London Stadium: the Stratford travel plan

The London Stadium sits inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. There is no public parking on concert days — the official advice is public transport only — and the good news is that Stratford is one of the best-connected spots in the capital. The walk from the station to the stadium is roughly 15–20 minutes through the park and Westfield Stratford City, and it's a genuinely pleasant approach on a July evening.

Lines and stations

• Stratford station: Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth lines, DLR, London Overground and National Rail — the main gateway.
• Elizabeth line: a major advantage from west and central London — Paddington to Stratford in around 15 minutes, also calling at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. It's also the quietest escape afterwards.
• Central line: the easiest hop from the City and West End — direct from Bank, Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus, every few minutes before doors.
• Jubilee line: direct to Stratford and useful from south-east and north-west London.

A timing note from the listings: the Friday (3 July) network is busier than the Sunday (5 July), with commuter traffic overlapping the early arrivals. Build in extra time on the Friday.

The post-show escape plan

Up to 80,000 people leaving at once is the real test of the night. A few moves consistently work:

1. Don't sprint for the first train. The crush is heaviest in the ten minutes after the encore. A short wait in the park thins the crowd dramatically.
2. Favour the Elizabeth line. It's the calmest way out and spreads the load away from the Central line crush.
3. Walk one stop if needed. Boarding a stop further along can be quicker than queuing at Stratford's busiest gates.
4. Check last trains before you go in. Sunday 5 July services wind down earlier than a Friday — know your final departure, especially for onward National Rail.
5. Screenshot your route. Phone signal in an 80,000-strong crowd is unreliable; have your plan saved offline.

Practical tips for the night

• Consider ear protection. Metallica at full volume in an 80,000-capacity stadium is intense; small foam earplugs take the edge off without dulling the show.
• Check the bag policy. Confirm permitted bag sizes on the official London Stadium website before you head in; large bags slow security.
• Arrive in daylight. The walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is part of the occasion — and easier before the crowds peak.
• Go cashless-ready. Bring a contactless card or phone for bars and merch, and a power bank for a long night.
• Layer up. July evenings in an open bowl can cool down after dark — a light layer helps.

Why these two London shows matter

Metallica — James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo — have spent more than four decades at the top of heavy metal, selling over 150 million albums worldwide, with the 1991 Black Album the best-selling metal record of all time. The M72 World Tour, launched in 2025, has become one of the highest-grossing tours in history, and these two London nights are billed as its final dates. For UK fans, that combination — the band at full power, the in-the-round spectacle, two no-repeat setlists and a tour finale — makes 3 and 5 July less a gig and more a moment.

There's a wider weekend around it, too: the band's tour ecosystem has spun up fan events across the city, from tribute nights to a Metallica film festival screening classics like Cliff 'Em All and Cunning Stunts. If you're in town for both shows, the Saturday in between won't be quiet.

The support acts: who's opening each night

Metallica's M72 bills are not throwaway warm-ups — each support act is a headline draw in its own right, and the two London line-ups are deliberately different in character. Knowing who you're seeing helps you decide when to arrive.

Friday 3 July — Gojira and Knocked Loose

Gojira are the French metal band from Bayonne who have spent two decades building a reputation as one of the most technically accomplished and forward-thinking acts in heavy music. Blending progressive, death and thrash influences with complex, groove-driven rhythms, they broke through to a wider audience after a celebrated set at a major global ceremony and have since become genuine arena-fillers. Live, they pair precision musicianship with an environmental, almost spiritual intensity — a strong, serious main support that complements Metallica's scale.

Knocked Loose, from Kentucky, are a different beast: a hardcore band whose ferocious, pit-igniting live shows have made them one of the most talked-about heavy acts of the decade. They've crossed over from the hardcore scene into mainstream festival bills without softening their sound. Expect an early, brutal jolt of energy — and a crowd that knows every breakdown.

Sunday 5 July — Pantera and Avatar

Pantera need little introduction to metal fans: the Texan groove-metal pioneers behind landmark records that reshaped heavy music in the 1990s. Their continued live presence keeps the riffs of an entire era alive on stage, and on a Metallica bill the pairing reads like a summit of metal heavyweights. Avatar, the theatrical Swedish metal band, bring a heavier, performance-driven opening — costumes, character and crunch — setting a darker tone for the Sunday finale.

The practical takeaway: both nights reward arriving early. These are not bands to skip — and on a Metallica weekend, the support slots are part of why the two-day ticket feels like two different events rather than one show twice.

Inside the M72 production

The M72 World Tour is built around spectacle. The central, in-the-round stage is ringed by towers and screens, with the band using the full circle so that no section of the crowd is permanently behind the action. Pyrotechnics, lighting rigs and the tour's distinctive staging are engineered to read from every angle of an 80,000-capacity bowl. For a London Stadium show — one of the largest outdoor stages in the UK — that scale is a big part of the appeal: the production is designed precisely for a venue this size, and the open bowl lets the lighting and pyro breathe as the July sky darkens.

It also shapes the rhythm of the night. With the band circulating the stage, the experience shifts depending on where you stand — the floor ring delivers proximity and intensity, while elevated seats trade closeness for a complete view of the choreography between band members and production. Neither is wrong; they're simply different ways to take in the same show.

London Stadium: rules, bags and accessibility

London Stadium runs standard major-event security, and getting the basics right saves time at the gate. Key points to confirm on the official venue website before you travel:

• Bag policy: there are limits on bag sizes; check the current policy and travel light, as large bags slow the search lanes and may not be admitted.
• Entry: have your mobile ticket ready and downloaded before you reach the gates; signal is patchy in crowds.
• Accessibility: accessible tickets are available through the venue and primary ticket agent, with dedicated booking routes for access requirements.
• Cashless: bars and concessions are card/contactless — bring a phone or card rather than cash.
• Re-entry: major stadium shows generally operate no re-entry, so arrive with what you need for the evening.

Should you do one night or both

It comes down to budget, diary and how deep your fandom runs. One night gives you a full Metallica headline set, two strong support acts and the in-the-round spectacle — more than enough for most people, and the obvious choice if you're travelling in for a single date. Both nights is the completist's play: two non-repeating setlists means you'll hear roughly double the catalogue, including deep cuts that appear on only one bill, plus two different support line-ups — and you'll have stood at the final two shows of the entire tour. The discounted two-day ticket exists specifically to make that worthwhile.

If you're weighing it up, factor in the Saturday in between. With fan events, screenings and tribute nights spinning up across the city around the shows, a two-night trip turns into a full Metallica weekend in London rather than two separate evenings out.

Four decades at the top: the Metallica story

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, and completed by guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica stood shoulder to shoulder with Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax as the "Big Four" of thrash metal. Their early one-two of Kill 'Em All (1983) and Ride the Lightning (1984) set a relentless pace, before Master of Puppets and 1988's ...And Justice for All proved heavy music could be both technically dazzling and socially sharp. The 1991 self-titled "Black Album" — home to Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters and The Unforgiven — became the best-selling metal album of all time, pushing the band into the mainstream without blunting their edge.

More than 150 million albums later, the throughline of their career has been a refusal to stand still — from symphonic collaborations to the raw 72 Seasons era that underpins the M72 tour. That restlessness is exactly why no two Metallica nights feel identical, and why the No Repeat Weekend format suits them: a back catalogue this deep can fill two completely separate stadium sets without straining. For London audiences in July 2026, that legacy arrives at full volume, on the biggest stage, at the very end of the tour that has carried it around the world.

Before the show: making a day of Stratford

One quiet advantage of a Stratford gig is that the area is built for big crowds. Westfield Stratford City — one of Europe's largest urban shopping centres — sits between the station and the stadium, with bars, restaurants and food courts that make an easy pre-show base. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park itself is worth arriving early for: wide walkways, waterways and the legacy venues of the 2012 Games give the approach a sense of occasion rather than a scramble.

If you want somewhere to settle before doors, the park and Westfield offer plenty of options without straying far from the stadium — handy on a two-night trip when you're pacing yourself. Just remember that tables fill fast on concert days, so book ahead where you can, and leave enough margin to clear security comfortably before the support acts begin.

Weather and what to wear

Early July in London can swing from warm, bright evenings to a sudden shower, and an open stadium bowl cools noticeably once the sun drops. A light, packable layer and sensible footwear for a long night of standing go a long way; if rain is forecast, a thin waterproof beats an umbrella, which won't be practical in a packed crowd. Sun cream and water earlier in the day are worth it too, given the afternoon entry and the walk through the park.

Quick checklist

1. Dates: Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2026, London Stadium, Stratford.
2. Format: in-the-round, No Repeat Weekend — two different setlists.
3. Support: Gojira + Knocked Loose (Fri); Pantera + Avatar (Sun).
4. Tickets: 1-day or discounted 2-day, official sellers only.
5. Travel: Stratford station; no parking; favour the Elizabeth line out.
6. On the night: earplugs, check bag policy, plan your last train, screenshot your route.

Frequently asked questions

When does Metallica play London Stadium in 2026?

Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2026, at the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. The published event start time is 19:00, with the stadium opening earlier and a curfew around 22:30.

What time is Metallica actually on stage?

Headline stage times are released close to the shows on the official event page. Expect two support acts across the early-to-mid evening and Metallica's set building to the ~22:30 curfew.

Are the two nights the same show?

No. It's a No Repeat Weekend — completely different setlists on each night, with different support acts (Gojira and Knocked Loose on 3 July; Pantera and Avatar on 5 July).

How do I get tickets?

Through official sellers (Ticketmaster, Live Nation). Choose a 1-day ticket for one night or a discounted 2-day ticket for both. Enhanced Experiences and accessible tickets are also available. Never buy from unofficial resale sites.

How do I get to the stadium?

By public transport only — there's no parking. Stratford station serves the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, DLR, Overground and National Rail, with a 15–20 minute walk through the park. The Elizabeth line is the quietest way home.

Are these really the last M72 shows?

Yes — the London Stadium dates are billed as the final two dates of the entire M72 World Tour, which concludes in London on 5 July 2026.

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