Metallica break crowd record at Principality Stadium

Metallica made history at Principality Stadium, bringing the biggest live music event ever staged in Wales to Cardiff.

With 76,000 fans in attendance, Metallica's M72 World Tour transformed Principality Stadium into a spectacular in-the-round live music experience, with the stage positioned at the heart of the venue to create an unforgettable show for fans from every angle.

The concert has set a new benchmark for live music in Wales, becoming the largest music event ever staged in the nation. It also marked a record-breaking milestone for Principality Stadium, attracting the highest attendance for a concert in the venue's history  (previously held by Ed Sheeran in 2022) and further cementing its reputation as one of Europe's leading destinations for world-class live entertainment.

Despite performing to millions of fans worldwide and breaking records throughout their career, the concert marked Metallica's long-awaited Principality Stadium debut.  Having last played in Cardiff 30 years ago in 1996; this show was the first opportunity for Welsh fans to experience the record-breaking M72 World Tour production at the home of Welsh rugby.

Mark Williams, Stadium Director at Principality Stadium, said:

"We are incredibly proud to have welcomed Metallica and the record-breaking M72 World Tour to Principality Stadium for the very first time. Hosting the biggest live music event ever in South Wales is another landmark moment in our history of staging world-class live entertainment alongside some of the biggest sporting occasions in the world.

Delivering a production of this scale, in-the-round and in front of 76,000 fans was a huge undertaking and a testament to the expertise and dedication of our team and partners. It was fantastic to welcome thousands of visitors to Cardiff and deliver an unforgettable experience for fans, while also showcasing everything our city and stadium has to offer."

Gavin Marshall, Chief Financial & Operating Officer at the Welsh Rugby Union, added:

"Metallica’s M72 World Tour was a landmark event, not only for Principality Stadium but for Wales. Welcoming the largest live music audience the nation has ever seen demonstrates the stadium’s ability to deliver world-leading events that attract visitors from across the country.

We’re incredibly proud to have reached this milestone, creating a moment in Welsh history. Events on this scale play an important role in supporting the Welsh economy, generating significant benefits for local businesses and showcasing Cardiff on the global stage."

As part of the M72 World Tour's visit to Cardiff, the Welsh Blood Service hosted dedicated blood donation sessions across Wales from 22 June to 3 July. Running during the week before and the week after the concert, the campaign harnessed the power of the Metallica community to help save lives. Whether attending the show or simply inspired by the initiative, supporters were encouraged to make a real difference because giving blood rocks.