Metallica Sets New Olympiastadion Attendance Record with 94,000 Fans in Berlin

The record-breaking attendance was made possible by a stage configuration that placed the performance area in the center of the field rather than at the Marathon-Tor end. This arrangement allowed all grandstand seats to be used, significantly increasing capacity beyond the stadium's typical football match limit of approximately 73,860.

According to Rolling Stone, Metallica employed a 360-degree round stage that was more compact than conventional stadium setups, creating additional space for attendees on the floor. The design included a Snake Pit, a circular standing area in the center of the stage structure that is a regular feature at Metallica concerts, where fans with special tickets could potentially high-five the musicians.

The previous attendance record at the Olympiastadion was held by U2, who played to nearly 90,000 people in 2009, also using a round stage positioned in the center of the field.

A Setlist Spanning Decades

The four band members — frontman James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo — took the stage shortly after 8:00 p.m. and performed for a good two hours.

The setlist spanned the band's career, featuring songs from their latest album '72 Seasons' alongside classics such as the ballad 'Nothing Else Matters', and closing with 'Enter Sandman' and 'Masters of Puppets'.

In a nod to local heroes, Metallica played the Rammstein song 'Sonne', prompting thousands of fans to sing along. The concert concluded with a fireworks display on the roof of the Olympiastadion.

The Final German Stop on a Global Tour

The Berlin show was the seventh and final concert in Germany on the band's M72 World Tour, which has been underway for a good three years. Metallica previously played two concerts each in Hamburg in 2023 and 2024, and most recently performed two shows in Frankfurt am Main.

Metallica was founded in Los Angeles in 1981 and has sold over 150 million records worldwide. Founding members James Hetfield, 62, and Lars Ulrich, 62, have been with the band since its inception. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, 63, joined in 1983, and bassist Robert Trujillo, 61, joined in 2003.