Metallica Confirms 2025 Headline Tour with Iconic Support Acts

Metallica is rolling out a 2025 North American tour, bringing their mix of old-school riffs and new album jams to a lineup that includes Sick New World and Sonic Temple festivals. The tour spans 21 dates, running from April to June, and let’s just say, they aren’t coming alone. Expect Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies, and Ice Nine Kills to make some noise at various stops. Tickets? Set your alarm for September 27 at 10 a.m. local time—assuming the system doesn’t crash under the weight of diehard fans.

This leg of the tour continues Metallica’s M72 global trek, which kicked off back in 2023 after the band dropped their latest album, 72 Seasons. They’ve stuck with their “No Repeat Weekends” gimmick, meaning back-to-back shows at the same venue will feature zero song repeats. Yes, they’re keeping things fresh, or at least as fresh as possible when you’ve been playing some of these tracks for four decades.

Let’s rewind to April 2023, when the M72 tour debuted in Amsterdam. Metal Hammer editor Eleanor Goodman caught that show and was clearly blown away, slapping a perfect five-star rating on it. According to her, the band was having so much fun on stage, it almost looked like a metal bromance. She described Kirk and James grinning at each other like kids who’d just stolen their first beer, while Rob and Kirk played tag around the stage during For Whom The Bell Tolls. It helps when you’ve got the Amsterdam crowd in full Koningsdag (King’s Day) mode—dressed in orange and getting gloriously hammered. James even dedicated King Nothing to the occasion. Real subtle.

Right now, Metallica is busy tearing up Central America. They’re in Mexico City for a four-show run from September 20 to 29. In between all that globe-trotting, James Hetfield somehow found time to dabble in acting, appearing in a western thriller, The Thicket, with Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones fame. But in true Hetfield fashion, he’s already confessed that he’s not really a fan of the acting gig. Shocking.

Since 1981, Metallica has basically redefined heavy metal. We’re talking best-selling band status, number-one albums around the globe, and that 1991 self-titled release—yep, The Black Album—shipping over 30 million copies. More impressive? Their 1984 classic, Ride The Lightning, is still charting thanks to its 40th anniversary celebrations. Guess old metal doesn’t die, it just gets re-released and re-bought.

If you’re keen on catching them live, here’s the rundown:

• April 12: Las Vegas Sick New World, NV
• April 19: Syracuse MA Wireless Dome, NY*
• April 24: Toronto Rogers Centre, ON*
• April 26: Toronto Rogers Centre, ON+
• May 1: Nashville Nissan Stadium, TN*
• May 3: Nashville Nissan Stadium, TN+
• May 7: Blacksburg Lane Stadium, VA*
• May 9: Columbus Sonic Temple, OH
• May 11: Columbus Sonic Temple, OH
• May 23: Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field, PA+
• May 25: Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field, PA*
• May 28: Landover Northwest Stadium, MD*
• May 31: Charlotte Bank Of America Stadium, NC*
• June 3: Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium, GA*
• June 6: Tampa Raymond James Stadium, FL+
• June 8: Tampa Raymond James Stadium, FL*
• June 14: Houston NRG Stadium, TX*
• June 20: Santa Clara Levi’s Stadium, CA+
• June 22: Santa Clara Levi’s Stadium, CA*
• June 27: Denver Empower Field at Mile High, CO+
• June 29: Denver Empower Field at Mile High, CO*

1. * Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies support
2. + Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills support

Prepare for the usual chaos, and bring your earplugs—just in case Limp Bizkit decides to “break stuff” again.