Metallica’s electrifying performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, wasn’t just a star-studded affair; it attracted an impressive crowd. Metallica managed to pull in an estimated 78,000 enthusiastic fans for each of their two shows at the venue during the weekend, surpassing the record previously held by the pop sensation Taylor Swift, who had drawn approximately 70,000 fans to each of her six performances. In total, Metallica’s ticket sales for both shows reached an astonishing 156,000.
SoFi Stadium boasts an impressive maximum seating capacity of 100,240 individuals for major events, as per their Wikipedia page. This record-breaking attendance was officially confirmed by the SoFi Stadium social media team on Twitter, where they enthusiastically exclaimed, “Metallica has now etched their name into history with the highest single-show attendance record at #SoFiStadium. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for two unforgettable sold-out nights!”
While Metallica has not directly commented on this monumental achievement beyond retweeting SoFi Stadium’s announcement, it’s safe to assume that the band’s drummer, Lars Ulrich, must have been utterly astounded. During a recent interview with Q104.3, Ulrich expressed his profound disbelief at Metallica’s enduring popularity, despite their extensive 42-year journey.
“It’s rather surreal. After four decades, it still feels rather mind-boggling,” Ulrich mused. “I’ve reiterated this countless times, but the sensation persists that we’re just scratching the surface and continuously striving to navigate this remarkable journey. We often jest with those around us that we might consider going ‘pro’ one of these days. The unwavering devotion and support from our fans over the years is simply astounding. What’s truly remarkable is that it isn’t solely the same fan base; a new, youthful generation continues to join our ranks, turning up at our concerts. I’ve even had 10-year-olds recognize me on the street, partly thanks to the ‘Stranger Things’ phenomenon.”
“During our earlier years, in our twenties and thirties, we were brimming with youthful energy, never truly pausing to savor the moment—quite typical when you’re hurtling through life at such a pace. However, now that we find ourselves in our more mature years—I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that James turned 60 today—it’s incredible that the love for heavy music and what we do endures.”
“Forty-two years into this incredible journey, it’s astonishing to realize that the shows we’re performing at MetLife this weekend mark the largest concerts we’ve ever held in the greater New York, New Jersey, tri-state area. The distinguishing factor now, compared to say, two or three decades ago, is that we’ve finally taken the time to slow down, appreciate the love, embrace the generosity of our fans, cherish the interactions, and acknowledge our profound fortune in sharing our music and experiencing the ongoing journey.”