Heavy metal legends Metallica are heading to the UK this summer for the final leg of their M72 World Tour — and they’re asking fans to do something a little different before the show. Not just buy a t-shirt. Give blood.
What’s the campaign?
In a first-ever collaboration between UK blood services and a global band, Metallica have called on their fans to donate blood and plasma around their upcoming UK tour dates. The Welsh Blood Service, England’s NHS Blood and Transplant, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service are all working with the American band to encourage existing donors to return and new donors to come forward.
The collaboration marks the first time British blood services have partnered with a global music act on this scale — and given Metallica’s reach far beyond traditional metal audiences, it’s the kind of campaign that could genuinely move the needle
Why now?
UK blood services say the need for blood is constant, as it has a shelf life of only 35 days. Donors play an important role in aiding the treatment of trauma victims, cancer patients, new mothers, and those living with long-term conditions such as sickle cell disease.
Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Metallica are experts at raising the volume — and by calling on their millions of fans around the world to become regular blood donors, they are helping to boost life-saving blood stocks too. Right now in England, we particularly need more O negative, B negative and Ro donors — every donation is vital.”
Each donation can save up to three lives.
What did Metallica say?
The band’s own statement is worth reading in full. A spokesperson said: “Wherever we go on tour, we want to give something meaningful back to the communities that welcome us. We’ve seen in the United States and Australia how working with blood services can help raise awareness of blood donation and support patients, and we’re excited to bring that same approach to the UK. As we close out the European leg of the M72 World Tour in the UK, we’re asking fans to step up and be part of something bigger than the show.”
The Welsh Blood Service’s Alan Prosser added: “Just as metal music runs strongly through Metallica fans’ veins — so does the blood which gives the power to save up to three lives with every donation.” Which is, it has to be said, one of the better lines written in a press release this year
The UK tour dates
Metallica’s UK dates are as follows:
🎸 Glasgow — Hampden Park, Thursday 25 June 2026 🎸 Cardiff — Principality Stadium, Sunday 28 June 2026 🎸 London — London Stadium, Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2026.
Dedicated blood donation sessions will be scheduled around each tour stop. In Wales, donation drives will run across the week before and after the Cardiff concert, making it easy for fans to contribute around the gig schedule.
How to donate
If you want to take part, you can register as a blood donor in England at blood.co.uk, in Scotland at scotblood.co.uk, and in Wales at welsh-blood.org.uk. Sessions are available across all three countries, and first-time donors are very much welcome.
What’s next for Metallica?
After the UK dates wrap up, Metallica will embark on a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere running from October 2026 to March 2027. Lars Ulrich said of the residency: “This gives us another chance to reinvent how we interact with our fans in a live setting.”
But first — Glasgow, Cardiff, and London. And a blood drive that could save thousands of lives before a single note is played.