Rock legends Metallica will take the stage at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, performing at Etihad Park on Saturday, December 6, 2025, organisers Ethara announced today.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will perform as part of the Yasalam entertainment programme presented by e&, which spans four days and is available exclusively to Grand Prix ticket holders.
Metallica headlines race weekend
“Metallica deliver life-changing shows. They are the perfect addition to the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Yasalam offering. Saturday will be a day not to miss for F1 and rock fans alike,” said David Powell, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at Ethara.
Formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, with guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo completing the current lineup, Metallica has sold nearly 125 million albums worldwide and generated more than 17 billion streams.
The band has performed on all seven continents to millions of fans, including over 1.3 million members of their Fifth Member fan club.
Their extensive discography includes multi-platinum albums such as Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and their most recent Grammy-winning release 72 Seasons, which debuted in April 2023 under their own Blackened Recordings label.
The band’s accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, and Sweden’s Polar Music Prize.
In 2017, Metallica established the All Within My Hands Foundation, which has raised more than $20 million for various causes, including $11.4 million for workforce education, $7.4 million to combat hunger globally, and $4.7 million for critical local services worldwide.
The announcement follows confirmation that Benson Boone will open the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix entertainment programme on Thursday, December 4, while Katy Perry will close the weekend as Sunday’s headline act.
Access to the after-race concerts is reserved for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders, with Golden Circle upgrades available for those seeking premium positioning near the stage.
Organisers report high demand and encourage ticket holders to secure their upgrades via the website.
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