Lars Ulrich Confirms Metallica’s Interest in Sphere Residency, 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show

It seems that big things are brewing in the Metallica universe.

While the heavy metal legends are currently prepping for an intimate August 28th gig at the 250-people capacity Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, Long Island, to celebrate the launch of the band’s “Maximum Metallica” SiriusXM channel, rumors have them eyeing much larger concert confines for next year.

According to Vital Vegas, Metallica are ready to join the likes of U2, Dead & Company, and Eagles by staging a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. While the website doesn’t have much hard evidence to back up the claims, they have correctly predicted other Sphere residencies, including the upcoming (and controversial) screenings of The Wizard of Oz.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich addressed the rumors during a surprise interview with Howard Stern, who paused his summer vacation to host his SiriusXM show on Wednesday (August 6th), where the pair discussed a variety of subjects, including the possible Sphere residency.

“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,” Ulrich said when asked about the rumors. “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, who attended opening night of U2’s residency at the Sphere, said he was “blown away” by the venue, and more than ready to play there: “It’s not signed, sealed and delivered, but speaking to me and asking my opinion I would fucking love to do it.”

Earlier this year, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett also co-signed the band performing at the Las Vegas Sphere, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “Oh, heck, yeah! 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.”

Stern also asked Ulrich if Metallica would be interested in performing the halftime show at next year’s Super Bowl, which will happen in the band’s hometown of San Francisco.

“Fuck yeah of course we would,” was the drummer’s emphatic response. “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. …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.”

The timing for a hard rock act at the Super Bowl seems appropriate, as new data via Live Nation reveals that “heavy rock shows are up 14% this year.”