Hokie fans excited as Metallica announces concert at Lane Stadium

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Lane Stadium is going to be rocking. Metallica just announced it’s coming to Blacksburg as part of its 2025 tour.

Instead of hearing “Enter Sandman” blast through the speakers while jumping at a Hokies football game, people will get to jump to the song with Metallica May 7.

The band is coming to Blacksburg as part of it’s M72 World Tour, marking 25 years of the iconic song playing as the Hokies take the field. This big announcement comes just weeks after Metallica and the Hokies made a new merchandise collaboration.

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 on this for a while now and last year was my first year to actually experience, and it was electric. It was crazy. It was like blood running through your veins,” said Alabarrazin.

The “Enter Sandman” opener as the Hokies rush onto the field dates to August 2000, when the University installed its first videoboard. It’s been considered Virginia Tech’s theme song ever since and long-time Professor Ed Smith remembers it all.

“We’ve arrived, Hokie Nation. That’s it! It’s amazing. I’ve been here 25 years; I’ll tell you that’s it, it’s gonna be it,” Smith said.

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

Blacksburg locals like the Griffins say with Metallica’s concert being live at the stadium, they won’t be shocked if that happens again.

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

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

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

Tickets will go on sale Friday September 27 and the Hokies and locals can’t wait to give the band a warm welcome to Blacksburg.