Metallica London Stadium: Start Time, Last-Minute Tickets and Setlist 2026

Key Points

• Metallica are performing at London Stadium on Friday 3 July 2026 and Sunday 5 July 2026 as part of the M72 World Tour.
• Gates open at 3.30pm (3 July) and 3pm (5 July); expected main-set start times are 8.30pm (3 July) and 8pm (5 July).
• The London dates are a “no repeat weekend”: the band will play two different setlists across the two nights, with different support acts each night.
• Support acts: Knocked Loose and Gojira on 3 July; Avatar and Pantera on 5 July.
• Seating map features a central “doughnut” stage with a snake pit and general admission standing area; Ticketmaster provides seating plans.
• Limited last-minute tickets remain via Ticketmaster resale and secondary sites such as StubHub and Viagogo, with two-day resale passes from around £215 at time of writing.
• London Stadium bag policy allows A4-sized bags only; a list of banned items includes large bags, glass, professional cameras, alcohol and weapons.
• Local weather forecast: July 03 — clear skies, high ~26°C; July 05 — clear skies, high ~28°C.
• Setlists from recent M72 shows (per Setlist.fm) show markedly different line-ups across nights; past examples from Dublin provide likely templates though London lineups may vary.

UK (Liverpool standard) July 03, 2026 — Metallica’s M72 World Tour arrives at London Stadium for a two‑night, no‑repeat weekend on Friday July 03 and Sunday July 05, with gates opening mid‑afternoon and the main set expected to begin around 8.30pm on the first night and 8pm on the second night. As reported by Simon Harper of Time Out London, the band will present distinct setlists and separate support bills across the two nights, giving fans the incentive to attend both shows.

What are Metallica’s London dates and why are they special?

As reported by Ben Houdijk for Time Out, Metallica play London Stadium (E20 2ST) on Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2026. The London leg is part of the global M72 World Tour and is billed as a “no repeat weekend”, meaning the group will deliver different setlists and different opening acts on each night, a format designed to reward fans who attend multiple shows.

What time do the gates open and when will Metallica play?

According to Time Out’s event information, gates open at 3.30pm on Friday 3 July and 3pm on Sunday 5 July. Tour reporting and observed M72 scheduling patterns indicate the main Metallica set has typically begun around 8pm on this tour; organisers expect approximately 8.30pm for the Friday show and 8pm for the Sunday show because of an earlier curfew on the latter date.

Who are the support acts for each night?

As listed by Time Out London, the support line‑ups are:

• Friday 3 July: Knocked Loose (5.30pm) and Gojira (6.30pm).
• Sunday 5 July: Avatar (5pm) and Pantera (6pm).
  These timings derive from promoters’ published running orders and media previews.

What can ticketbuyers expect about seating and stage layout?

Ticketmaster provides the official seating plan for London Stadium during these Metallica shows, featuring a central “doughnut” stage with a snake pit in the middle of the general admission area. The configuration places standing GA around the stage and seating sections circling the bowl, maximising sightlines for the circular production.

Are there still last‑minute tickets available?

Ticketmaster’s resale platform had limited options at the time of reporting; Time Out reported two‑day resale passes from about £215. Secondary resale marketplaces including StubHub and Viagogo also listed tickets. Availability and prices fluctuate rapidly; fans are advised to check official Ticketmaster resale first and reputable secondary sites if necessary.

What are the venue’s bag and prohibited items policies?

The London Stadium’s official ground regulations summarised in Time Out’s guide advise attendees not to bring bags where possible; permitted bags must be no larger than A4. Prohibited items include large bags/backpacks, glass bottles, professional cameras and tripods, alcohol, weapons, laser pointers, aerosol cans, banners or poles (unless permitted), and illegal drugs. All bags will be searched on entry and there is no bag drop facility on site.

What might Metallica play are setlists available?

Setlist.fm and tour‑reporting sites have compiled recent M72 shows and provided examples from a recent “no repeat weekend” in Dublin. Night‑one examples included songs such as “Creeping Death”, “Harvester of Sorrow”, “Leper Messiah”, and “Master of Puppets”; night two examples featured tracks including “Whiplash”, “Ride the Lightning”, “Fade to Black”, “One” and “Enter Sandman”. These Dublin setlists, reported on Setlist.fm, illustrate the band’s approach to varied programming, but London setlists may differ on the night.

What is the weather forecast for east London during the concerts?

According to local forecasts cited by Time Out, Friday 3 July is expected to be clear with temperatures around 26°C falling to 21°C by 11pm. Sunday 5 July is forecast clear and warmer, reaching about 28°C and cooling to 25°C by the end of the night. Attendees should plan for warm evening conditions and stay hydrated.

Where do the main facts and quotes in this briefing come from?

Key details in this report are drawn from Time Out London’s event coverage and Ticketmaster’s published seating information, with setlist examples cross‑checked on Setlist.fm. Wherever possible, timings and policies referenced are those published by the event’s promoters, the London Stadium and ticketing platforms.

Background of the particular development

Metallica launched the M72 World Tour following the release of their studio work linked to the tour branding and a multi‑venue global schedule. The “no repeat weekend” format where a band performs two distinct shows in the same city with different setlists and support acts has been used periodically by large touring acts to create special event dynamics and to encourage multiple‑night attendance. Prior to London, Metallica staged a similar no‑repeat weekend in Dublin, where the band performed markedly different sets across two nights; Setlist.fm documented those performances and they provide a recent template for what fans might expect in east London. The London Stadium, a major UK venue originally built for the 2012 Olympics, routinely hosts stadium tours and festival‑style productions, permitting complex stage designs such as the doughnut configuration seen on these Metallica dates.

Prediction: How this development can affect concertgoers and the local live‑music scene

• For fans: The no‑repeat weekend increases the incentive for dedicated fans to buy tickets to both nights, driving demand for two‑night passes and deeper engagement with the band’s catalogue. Fans may face higher resale prices if official inventory sells out quickly. Those attending single nights should expect a full production and a different musical experience on each date.
• For ticketing and resale markets: The combination of limited official supply and a two‑night format tends to buoy resale values for full weekend packages. Secondary markets will remain active in the run‑up and on the day, with price volatility linked to demand and remaining availability.
• For local services and transport: Heavy footfall in the Olympic Park and Stratford area across two nights will prompt increased demand for public transport, local hospitality and security services. Organisers and Transport for London typically coordinate additional capacity for major stadium shows, but fans should plan travel in advance.
• For the live‑music ecosystem: High‑profile shows of this nature reinforce London Stadium’s role as a major touring destination and can attract ancillary spending by nearby businesses. The usage of a doughnut stage and extended production also showcases the venue’s ability to host large, technically complex stadium rock performances, encouraging promoters to programme similar events.