ICYMI: Five Metallica Updates: Sphere, Ozzy tribute & more

While Metal Insider has spent much of the past week mourning, processing, and reflecting on the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, we’ve also been curating our extensive Honoring Ozzy feature, a tribute collection featuring as many dedications as we could find (and we know there are still many more and more to come) to the late Prince of Darkness. Meanwhile, in true Metallica fashion, the news didn’t slow down. If you blinked, you likely missed more than a few headlines, and we certainly did. So here’s a roundup of five updates and stories involving Metallica that we missed.

01) Metallica rumored for 2026 Las Vegas Sphere residency

According to Vital Vegas, Metallica are reportedly in talks for a fall 2026 residency at the Las Vegas Sphere following the conclusion of their M72 world tour. While unconfirmed, guitarist Kirk Hammett previously expressed interest via The Hollywood Reporter:

“Oh, heck, yeah! That’s a great example of how venues are changing. That’s using modern technology to the fullest, to really up the levels of production and entertainment, connected to A.I. and making it a crazy experience.”

02) Metallica share heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

While Metallica’s initial tribute to Ozzy Osbourne appeared in our Honoring Ozzy feature, the band has since shared a follow-up statement, offering even deeper reflections on his legacy and their personal connection with the Prince of Darkness. They also included a few throwback images in his memory.

“It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.

We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.

Ozzy Osbourne stands out among the many amazing artists that our own So What! Editor Steffan Chirazi has had the pleasure of covering during his time writing about rock and roll. From 1991 to 1997, Steffan traveled with Ozzy, working on various projects. Because of this, Steffan’s coverage of Back to the Beginning was already going to be very heavy and personal.

“In that moment, I was transported back to No More Tours in 1992, running from him as he came at me with buckets of water, finally taking the hit of a full one and turning around to see his eyes pinwheeling, laughing manically, and gesturing that he ‘fucking got [me]!’ …As ‘Suicide Solution’ roared, I felt my first rush of tears, which for some reason I suppressed… Why?”

03) Metallica Scholars Initiative expands to 75 schools nationwide

All Within My Hands, Metallica’s nonprofit foundation, has announced the largest expansion yet of their Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), awarding nearly $3 million in grants to workforce education programs. Now entering Year 7, MSI will support 75 community colleges across all 50 U.S. states and Guam, reaching an estimated 10,000 students. New fields introduced include Air Traffic Control, Agricultural Tech, Fire Tech, and AI, alongside traditional trades.

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo expressed:

“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.”

04) Beavis and Butt-Head set out to “buy Metallica” in new trailer

While not directly a Metallica update, the band features prominently in the upcoming third season of Beavis and Butt-Head, premiering September 3 on Comedy Central. In the newly released trailer, the iconic animated metalhead slackers set out to “buy Metallica,” continuing their long-running obsession with the thrash legends. The teaser offers a nostalgic, absurd glimpse of what’s to come this fall.

Watch the trailer below:

05) Metallica helps save Tomorrowland after stage fire

After a massive fire destroyed the main stage at Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival just days before the kickoff, organizers pulled off a miracle, thanks in part to Metallica. The band donated parts of their previous WordWired Tour cycle (reported by Consequence), not their ongoing M72 world tour stage, stored in Austria, which were airlifted overnight and used to construct a replacement setup in time for the festival’s July 18 opening. While significantly smaller, the temporary stage allowed artists like Martin Garrix to perform as planned. Garrix later thanked Metallica on Instagram, calling it “the most unique Tomorrowland ever.”

“I can not believe I’m actually typing this… but my set at Tomorrowland is still happening! massive love and a big shoutout to the incredible @tomorrowland team for pulling off miracles — and to @Metallica for coming through with the new stage parts ❤️ beyond excited to close the mainstage tonight. & this will hands down be the most unique Tomorrowland ever — and yes, I’ll be streaming it too. lets make history. WE UNITE ❤️”