Metallica and Guns N’ Roses Announce Epic Final Joint Tour – Dates and Cities Revealed
In what promises to be one of the most unforgettable spectacles in rock history, two of the most legendary bands of all time—Metallica and Guns N’ Roses—have officially announced their final joint tour. The titans of heavy metal and hard rock will join forces one last time for a globe-spanning series of shows that has already been described as the “ultimate farewell celebration of rock’s golden era.”
The tour, aptly titled “The Last Thunder & Roses Tour”, is set to kick off in Los Angeles, California, on May 3, 2026, before storming through 30 cities across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The announcement was made on Friday during a joint press conference streamed live from New York, where members of both bands stood side by side in front of a wall of Marshall stacks and emblazoned banners featuring both logos.
A Historic Collaboration Comes Full Circle
Metallica and Guns N’ Roses last toured together in 1992 on the infamous “Guns N’ Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour,” a run that cemented both groups as global rock juggernauts. Despite backstage tensions and chaotic stories that have since become part of rock folklore, that tour remains one of the most iconic in history, drawing millions of fans and redefining what a stadium rock show could be.
Now, over three decades later, the two bands are putting aside the past and giving fans what they’ve been asking for—a final chance to see them share the same stage.
James Hetfield, frontman of Metallica, said during the press event:
“We’ve been through it all—chaos, triumph, ups and downs—but when we hit that stage, it’s always been about the music and the fans. This tour is for them. It’s the last ride together, and we’re gonna make it massive.”
Axl Rose echoed the sentiment, calling the tour “a celebration, not a goodbye.”
“Rock ‘n’ roll has always been about pushing boundaries and bringing people together. We’re not just closing a chapter; we’re giving the world one last, loud, unapologetic party.”
The Setlists Fans Have Dreamed Of
According to insiders, each night will feature full headlining sets from both bands, followed by a joint finale performance where the groups will collaborate on classics from each other’s catalogues. Fans can expect to hear Metallica staples like Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets, and One, alongside Guns N’ Roses anthems like Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and November Rain.
Rumors suggest that the two bands are even preparing a brand-new collaborative track, which may debut during the tour’s opening night. While details remain under wraps, both Hetfield and Rose teased “something special” in the works.
Cities and Dates Revealed
The full list of dates was unveiled alongside the announcement, confirming that the tour will visit iconic stadiums and arenas worldwide. Key stops include:
- May 3, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
- May 10, 2026 – New York, NY – MetLife Stadium
- May 18, 2026 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
- June 1, 2026 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium
- June 10, 2026 – Paris, France – Stade de France
- June 20, 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Olympiastadion
- July 4, 2026 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Maracanã Stadium
- July 12, 2026 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – River Plate Stadium
- August 2, 2026 – Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome
- August 15, 2026 – Sydney, Australia – Accor Stadium
The tour is scheduled to conclude with a two-night finale in San Francisco, Metallica’s hometown, on September 5–6, 2026, at Oracle Park.
A Farewell, But Not the End
While billed as the final joint tour, neither Metallica nor Guns N’ Roses are calling it quits individually. Both bands confirmed that they will continue making music and touring separately. However, the chance to see them together—especially for fans who missed the legendary 1992 run—marks a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Slash, Guns N’ Roses’ iconic guitarist, summed it up best:
“This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about giving people the raw, live energy that only happens when these two bands are on the same bill. It’s dangerous, it’s unpredictable, and it’s going to be historic.”
Tickets are expected to go on sale starting September 20, 2025, with fan club pre-sales opening a week earlier. Given the enormity of the announcement, industry insiders predict record-breaking demand, with many shows likely to sell out within minutes.
For fans of heavy metal and hard rock, this tour represents more than just concerts—it’s a celebration of two legacies that shaped music for generations. Whether in Los Angeles, London, Rio, or Tokyo, when Metallica and Guns N’ Roses take the stage together for the last time, it will be nothing short of epic.
Would you like me to also write it in a breaking news style for a rock magazine headline piece (shorter, punchier, more dramatic), or keep it in this detailed newspaper-style format?
