Hokie fans thrilled with announcement of Metallica concert at Lane Stadium

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Lane Stadium is going to be buzzing with excitement. Metallica has announced they are coming to Blacksburg as part of their 2025 tour.

Instead of hearing “Enter Sandman” blaring from the speakers while jumping around at a Hokies football game, people will be able to jump around to the song with Metallica on May 7.

The band will be in Blacksburg as part of their M72 World Tour, which will mark 25 years since the Hokies first performed the iconic song on the field. The big announcement comes just weeks after Metallica and the Hokies collaborated on a new merchandise project.

Students like Christian Alabarrazin say playing “Enter Sandman” at football games is already a surreal experience and he can’t wait to see the band perform it live.

“I think the people of Blacksburg have been waiting for this for a while now and last year was the first time I experienced it, and it was electric. It was crazy. It was like blood was pumping through your veins,” Alabarrazin said.

The opening song, “Enter Sandman,” as the Hokies rush onto the field dates back to August 2000, when the university installed its first video screen. It has since become Virginia Tech’s theme song, and longtime professor Ed Smith remembers it vividly.

“We’re here, Hokie Nation. It’s over! It’s unbelievable. I’ve been here 25 years, I can tell you it’s over, it’s going to be over,” Smith said.

The stadium won’t just be buzzing in a figurative sense. In previous years, the “Enter Sandman” pregame has caused noticeable seismic activity from fans getting up and moving to the band’s music. The most recent activity detected was in 2021 during a home opener against North Carolina.

Blacksburg residents like the Griffins say that with Metallica performing live at the stadium, they won’t be shocked if it happens again.

“I’m not sure I want to be near the stadium when it happens, but if my house shakes, I’ll know why,” Mary said.

Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies are the opening bands for Metallica’s M72 World Tour.

We’ll see if Metallica will play “Enter Sandman” first or save the best for last.

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 27, and the Hokies and locals alike look forward to welcoming the group back to Blacksburg.