JUST IN: Metallica and Judas Priest Announce Epic Final Joint Tour – Dates and Cities Revealed
Seismic moment for the world of heavy metal, two of the genre’s most legendary titans—Metallica and Judas Priest—have officially announced their final joint tour, sending fans worldwide into a frenzy of anticipation and emotion. Dubbed “The Last Crusade: A Metal Legacy,” the tour is set to span across North America, Europe, and select cities in South America, marking the end of an era for two bands that helped shape the very foundations of heavy metal over the past five decades.
The announcement came via a surprise press conference in Los Angeles, where both bands’ members appeared together to share the stage in a rare moment of camaraderie. Frontman James Hetfield of Metallica called the tour “a celebration of everything we’ve built, screamed, and shredded over the last 40 years,” while Rob Halford of Judas Priest added, “It’s about time we gave the fans one more thunderous ride through metal history, side by side, no holding back.” The decision to embark on a final joint tour was reportedly years in the making, with both bands desiring to deliver a farewell that honored their legacy and the fans who made it possible.
Tour dates and cities have officially been revealed, with the tour kicking off on May 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, and concluding on October 31, 2026, in Birmingham, England—the birthplace of Judas Priest. Major stops include New York City, Toronto, Chicago, Mexico City, Berlin, Paris, and São Paulo. Fans can expect full-scale stadium performances complete with groundbreaking stage production, pyrotechnics, and curated setlists featuring hits from every era of both bands’ extensive discographies.
Ticket sales will begin this November, with exclusive pre-sales for fan club members and VIP package options that include meet-and-greets, backstage access, and limited-edition memorabilia. Promoters have warned that demand is expected to break records, given the historic nature of the tour. The joint farewell effort is already being hailed as “the most significant metal tour of the decade,” and possibly, of all time.
Behind the scenes, sources report that both bands are planning to release a special commemorative box set including remastered classics, unreleased tracks, and a documentary chronicling their joint legacy and the making of the final tour. Talks of a live concert film and potential streaming rights negotiations with major platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime are also underway, promising fans even more content to remember this monumental journey.
As the heavy metal world prepares to witness the last stand of Metallica and Judas Priest, emotions are running high. For many fans, this tour is not just a concert—it’s the culmination of lifelong devotion. With over a century of combined music, influence, and stage dominance, “The Last Crusade” promises to be an unforgettable salute to everything these two iconic bands have achieved, together and apart.
