Forget Playing in the Round, Metallica Could Be Considering a Residency at the Las Vegas Sphere

For years, iconic thrash metal band Metallica has played in a stage setup commonly referred to as a round stage setup where the audience surrounds the band on all sides, which many folks with deep pockets attribute to their shows having a more intimate feel about them. But what if they could take that concept and turn it on its head, creating an experience that fully encompasses the audience as well? There’s only one place they could feasibly do it and it’s going to come at a motherfucker of a price point — the Las Vegas Sphere.

According to a recent report on Vital Vegas, there’s a rumor floating around that the biggest metal band on the planet is considering a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere for fall 2026. That means rather than play a world tour or something, they would stay put in the Sphere and have the fans come to them. We’ve already seen plenty of rock acts do something similar, with Mötley Crüe, Scorpions, The Eagles, Santana, and more utilizing the unique spherical structure to create a unique experience for attendees.

For those that somehow don’t know, the Las Vegas Sphere is a top-of-the-line live venue that stands 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, making it the world’s largest spherical structure. And while the exterior is wrapped in a ridiculously high fidelity LED display, the coolest part is what it’s got on the inside: a full 16K resolution wraparound screen and cutting edge audio tech designed to let fans become completely immersed in the performance.

Though no announcement has been made as of yet, people close to the Sphere suggested to Vital Vegas that a deal is imminent.

“We’re hearing Metallica could play Sphere in the fall of 2026, but specifics haven’t been confirmed or announced yet. For fans, even a rumor of a Metallica residency at Sphere is akin to having an electric eel shoved down one’s pants, but in a good way.”

So they’re going to play the entirety of Ride the Lightning. Got it. (Kidding! That should only be an Orion Festival in Atlantic City exclusive…)