Lars Ulrich Confirms Metallica’s Interest in Sphere Residency, 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show
By Jordan Keyes | August 7, 2025
In a conversation that sent waves across the metal community, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich hinted at two potentially monumental milestones in the band’s future: a residency at Las Vegas’s cutting-edge Sphere venue and a long-overdue performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2026.
Appearing on The Howard Stern Show earlier this week, Ulrich fielded questions with his signature blend of sarcasm, sincerity, and candor. And while he stopped short of confirming either event, he did little to quash speculation that Metallica could soon take center stage in two of the most high-profile musical platforms in the world.
“We’ve had conversations.”
When Stern brought up the possibility of a Super Bowl Halftime Show—something fans have clamored for over the years—Ulrich didn’t hesitate to engage.
“Let’s just say, we’ve had conversations,” Ulrich said with a grin. “There’s always been mutual interest. But the timing, the format, the politics of the Super Bowl—it’s a complex beast.”
Metallica’s absence from past halftime lineups has long puzzled fans and critics alike. Despite being one of the most commercially successful and influential bands in music history, the San Francisco legends have often been overlooked i
