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Major arterial routes in Auckland will close from mid-afternoon tomorrow in preparation for Metallica’s massive midweek concert.

The heavy metal legends are performing in New Zealand for the first time since 2010, with a one-off concert at Eden Park, where they’ll be joined by American rockers Evanescence and Suicidal Tendencies as part of their M72 World Tour.

Tāmaki Makaurau is expected to be heaving with 40,000 visitor nights booked and the city’s hotels at 100% capacity tomorrow ahead of Metallica’s stadium takeover, Auckland Council’s cultural agency said.

Road closures will begin at 4pm, with Sandringham Rd, Walters Rd, Cricket Ave, Reimers Ave and Bellwood Ave closed to all traffic until midnight.

Road closures from 4pm will shut key routes around Eden Park until midnight. Photo / Eden Park

Side streets further afield, stretching from Morningside Drive east to Dominion Rd, will be under “managed access” over the same period, with access and parking permitted only for residents.

Post-concert road closures will also be implemented from 9.30pm, affecting Bond St, New Bond St and parts of Morningside Drive and New North Rd.

With opening acts Suicidal Tendencies and Evanescence kicking off the night at 5.30pm, concert-goers can enter the stadium from 4.30pm.

“We strongly encourage you arrive early due to the number of fans expected,” Eden Park advised ahead of the concert.

Free rides to and from the venue on Auckland Transport buses and trains are available for ticket-holders - just present your concert ticket when boarding for each trip.

Merch sales began today at Brad’s Warehouse in central Auckland and will run until 6pm on Thursday, while items will be sold outside Eden Park’s Entry C from midday tomorrow, with more stands opening as the day progresses.

A Metallica pre-party will be held at the Morningside Taven and Morningside Glasshouse from 2pm. There’ll be prizes, live entertainment and radio hosts from The Rock there, with entry on a “first in, first served” basis.