Virginia Tech shares how they landed a Metallica concert at Lane Stadium

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — The Metallica song Enter Sandman and Virginia Tech football have gone hand in hand for nearly a quarter of a century.

Last week, it was announced the legendary band will be performing at Lane Stadium on May 7, 2025. Since Monday, presale tickets have been going on and it will wrap up Thursday at 10 pm. Friday, tickets go on sale to the general public.

The process of getting Metallica to Lane Stadium has been going on for more than a decade. But once the Virginia Tech administration got the word it got the green light the band was coming to perform, there was a buzz and excitement their goal was accomplished and it was a reality they were coming to Virginia Tech and Blacksburg.

“For them to come here, it’ll obviously be a really big day for Virginia Tech for Blacksburg, Southwest Virginia economic impact to all of that when we started two years ago, we were Brad was visiting with them about two things a concert, and then we had also approached them about playing one song,” said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock. “Before game right whatever we could get, we would love to get and of course we ask for both. They did have a little bit of interest in the one game, but after looking at that Metallica felt like the operations of the production was just too big to come in for one song and they said hey by the way, the first time we play it there we wanted to be a big show so how about a concert?”

“You have to shoot for the moon sometimes right and try it and see what happens,” said Virginia Tech Executive Associate Athletic Director/External Affairs and Advancement Brad Wurthman. “A few folks that we can get done which is nice believe in that somewhat ridiculous to most that gives you enough to kind of roll with it. With it right so I’m I believe we can get it done from jump that’s that’s probably my nature is why not give it a shot and see in worst cases they can’t but they’ve been amazing. The band their representation Live Nation. Everybody has been so incredible from the beginning on trying to find a way to make this work it’s not as easy as people think it’s not this isn’t we just show up and here’s a band that we booked on a moments notice and they come and this is part of a world tour where they’ve been everywhere from Finland to Chicago to name it playing it so you have to find options that kind of work out well for you.”

A limited number of tickets have been specially priced for current Virginia Tech students. These tickets will be general admission seats in the north endzone of Lane Stadium. Additional tickets with specific seat locations will be available for students in sections 501, 502, 509 and 510 of the upper south endzone. There is a limit of two tickets per student.

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