
Metallica announced as the third headliner for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
If you like your concerts with a side of heavy metal, then the latest Abu Dhabi Grand Prix announcement is for you – the iconic band Metallica is coming for this year's after-race concerts.
The band will take to the stage on Saturday December 6, at Etihad Park, the last day of qualifiers.
Going for over four decades, Metallica was formed in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich.
Together with guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, they've become one of the biggest rock bands in history, selling nearly 125 million albums worldwide.
Their catalogue includes iconic hits like Nothing Else Matters, Master of Puppets and Enter Sandman, just to name a few.
David Powell, chief strategy & business development officer at Ethara, said: '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.'
If you're keen to see Metallica live, then you need to secure your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets ASAP. Access to the after-race concerts is exclusive for ticket holders, with an option to upgrade to Golden Circle if you want to get closer to the stage.
The band are the third act to be announced, after pop sensation Katy Perry was confirmed for Sunday December 7 and Benson Boone for Thursday December 5.
We still have one more to go for the Friday – any guesses?
From Dhs1,025. Thu December 4. Etihad Park, Yas Island, yasmarinacircuit.com, abudhabigp.com.
More things to do in Abu Dhabi
Everything happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025
From new openings to big events, this is shaping up to be quite a year
It's official: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season is returning for a second edition with some huge names
Wow, look at this line-up
Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once
Your dinner inspo is sorted
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Business
2 days ago
- Gulf Business
Abu Dhabi to host Games of the Future 2025; read details
Image: Games of the Future Abu Dhabi has been officially confirmed as the host city for the The announcement was made by Phygital International, the global governing body of the event, which merges physical athleticism with digital gaming to create a new class of competitive sport. The games will feature hybrid disciplines such as Phygital Football and Phygital Shooter, where athletes compete in both virtual and real-world formats, with final results determined by combined performances. Image: Supplied Games of the Future: Venue and games coordinator The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) has been selected as the official venue, providing a world-class stage for the multi-sport event. The competition is expected to attract thousands of athletes, clubs, and spectators from across the globe. ASPIRE, the programme development arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has been appointed as the UAE Delivery Authority for the games. ASPIRE will lead coordination among stakeholders, oversee the event's innovation agenda, and align government and sponsor funding frameworks. Ethara, a leading regional live event management company, has been named the Event Delivery Partner. Ethara will be responsible for end-to-end event execution including venue operations, logistics, fan experience, and commercial activation. 'We're thrilled that Abu Dhabi will welcome thousands of phygital athletes, clubs, and fans for the Games of the Future 2025,' said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International. 'With its bold vision for sport and technology, the UAE is the ideal stage for this groundbreaking event.' Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, added: 'As the UAE Delivery Authority, ASPIRE is proud to help shape the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 – a global platform where sport, technology, and imagination converge.' Beyond competition, the event will also include VR fan engagement zones, cultural activations, and technology showcases. The inaugural edition of the Games attracted over 2,000 athletes from more than 100 countries, reaching a global broadcast audience and drawing more than 300,000 fans. The 2025 edition in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step for the phygital movement, expanding its global footprint into the Middle East, where innovation and technological experimentation are rapidly evolving. Read:


Time Out Abu Dhabi
4 days ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The 2025 Games of the Future are officially coming to Abu Dhabi
Just when you thought Abu Dhabi couldn't outdo itself when it comes to next-gen entertainment, along comes this: the UAE capital has officially been named host of the Games of the Future 2025. Taking place from December 18 to 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this global event promises to be a blockbuster celebration of all things phygital – that's physical sport meets digital gaming and yes, it's as futuristic as it sounds. So, what exactly are we in for? Think esports meets elite athletics. In each competition, players will first compete in a digital version of their sport – whether that's football, shooter games, or other hybrid disciplines – before jumping into the physical version IRL. The combined scores from both stages determine the winner, so you'll need fast thumbs and quick feet to make the podium. The Games aren't just about fierce competition – they're also a tech-lover's dream. Expect AI-powered activations, VR immersion zones, live digital showcases and more fan experiences than you can shake a motion sensor at. There will be cultural experiences too, adding a bit of local flair to the global chaos of combat boots and console clicks. Over 2,000 athletes from more than 100 countries took part in the first Games and this second edition is shaping up to be even bigger. ASPIRE, the UAE's innovation arm for big-league tech events, is leading the charge on the ground, while Ethara – the events powerhouse behind everything from UFC nights to Formula 1 concerts – will make sure everything runs smoother than a PS5 loading screen. And don't worry – you won't need to be a pro gamer or marathon runner to join the fun. The event is open to fans and spectators, with ADNEC's cavernous halls transformed into a futuristic arena where sport, science fiction and serious skill all collide. Whether you're into esports, elite-level athletics, or just want to be part of something wildly new and only-in-Abu-Dhabi, the Games of the Future 2025 are about to rewrite the playbook for what sport can be. December can't come fast enough. Wed Dec 18–Mon Dec 23. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). More going on in Abu Dhabi You can now get a robotaxi from Zayed International Airport Trips to the airport just got an upgrade Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted 20 incredibly fun ways to explore Abu Dhabi after dark The city is at its most fascinating once the sun goes down


Broadcast Pro
22-05-2025
- Broadcast Pro
‘F1 The Movie' to premiere in Abu Dhabi ahead of Middle East release
The cast and crew will return to Abu Dhabi for the red-carpet premiere after filming 29 days across the emirate. Apple Original Films' summer blockbuster F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, will make its regional debut with a premiere in Abu Dhabi on June 25, 2025. Distributed globally and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, the event film will officially release across the Middle East on June 26, marking a symbolic return to the city where much of the movie was filmed. The premiere brings the production full circle, as cast and crew reunite in Abu Dhabi after wrapping principal photography during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December. The film was produced in collaboration with the Creative Media Authority, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, and local production partner Epic Films. F1 The Movie tells the fictional story of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, a once-promising Formula 1 driver from the 1990s whose career was nearly ended by a tragic accident. Decades later, Sonny lives a nomadic life on the racing circuit until he's approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes, portrayed by Javier Bardem. Ruben, now the owner of a failing Formula 1 team, urges Sonny to return to the sport for one final shot at greatness. Sonny is paired with rookie sensation Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, and must confront both the challenges of the modern racing world and the unresolved ghosts of his past. As the two drivers clash on and off the track, Sonny learns that redemption in Formula 1 isn't a solo journey—and that teammates can be your greatest rivals. Filmed during real Grand Prix weekends around the globe, the film's Abu Dhabi production spanned 29 days and involved three separate shooting periods. Locations included the Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport and twofour54 Studios. The project employed 284 local crew members, with Epic Films leading the regional production efforts. In addition, 15 young Emirati interns were given the opportunity to work alongside top-tier international filmmakers, gaining hands-on experience through the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's rebate and training programmes. The film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, and produced by Kosinski through Monolith Pictures, alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman for Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton also serves as a producer under his Dawn Apollo Films banner, joined by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment. The screenplay, penned by Academy Award nominee Ehren Kruger, is based on a story developed by Kosinski and Kruger. The production was created in partnership with Formula 1, with full support from Formula 1 Management, all 10 teams, F1 drivers, and the FIA. Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming back the cast and crew for a fourth F1-related occasion after hosting the team on three different shoots across three years. Not only in terms of duration but also in terms of economic impact, the F1 The Movie production has made a significant difference to Abu Dhabi's creative ecosystem and to host the region's premiere as part of a global tour, this will be a fitting closing moment and celebration to the full lifecycle of the production project and our first official partnership with Apple Original Films.' Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, commented: 'We are incredibly proud to be hosting a premiere for F1 The Movie – a moment which will see many of the cast and crew return to Abu Dhabi after wrapping 29 days of production – including days at the Yas Marina Circuit. As we continue to drive the film and TV production industry of Abu Dhabi forward, milestone moments such as premieres provide us the ideal opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts to support the visions of some of the world's leading directors and producers from Arabic, Bollywood and Hollywood within a welcoming and supportive environment.' F1 The Movie is one of 180 major production supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority, since the introduction of the rebate in 2013.