After a milestone 50th anniversary, Saturday Night Live has a premiere date on NBC for season 51.
The late-night sketch show will return on Saturday, Oct. 4, as part of NBC’s primetime lineup for the 2025–2026 broadcast season.
The cast for the new season has not yet been announced. Longtime SNL comic Kenan Thompson recently said he hopes to return, but is expecting “a lot of change” in the new season, as previously reported.
Related: ‘‘SNL’ Star Kenan Thompson Says Season 51 Will Bring ‘Change’
The last major cast shakeup came in 2022, when veteran players Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson and Kyle Mooney departed.
According to Deadline, casting decisions for Season 51 are still in progress. The network held auditions earlier this month, with sources telling the outlet creator Lorne Michaels is leaning toward adding “strong, character-driven performers” rather than stand-up comedians.
Last season’s cast included Thompson, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Michael Longfellow, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Devon Walker and Bowen Yang, along with featured players Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline.
Other NBC fall programming will include a two-hour Wicked special on Nov. 6, featuring musical performances by Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and surprise guests. The event celebrates Universal’s upcoming film Wicked: For Good.
On the sports front, Sunday Night Football kicks off on Sept. 4, with the Dallas Cowboys facing the Philadelphia Eagles. The first Sunday night telecast follows that weekend when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Buffalo Bills.
Also on the sports calendar, the NBA returns to NBC on Tuesday, Oct. 21, starting with a pregame show.
Below is the NBC primetime schedule for fall 2025–2026:
MONDAY, SEPT. 22
8:00-10:00 P.M. – The Voice
10:00-11:00 P.M. – Brilliant Minds
TUESDAY, SEPT. 23
8:00-9:00 P.M. – The Voice
9:00-11:00 P.M. – America’s Got Talent
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
8:00-9:00 P.M. – America’s Got Talent special
9:00-11:00 P.M. – America’s Got Talent season finale
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
8:00-9:00 P.M. – Law & Order
9:00-10:00 P.M. – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10:00-11:00 P.M. – Law & Order: Organized Crime
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
9:00-11:00 P.M. – Dateline NBC
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30
10:00-11:00 P.M. – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (Tuesday premiere)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
8:00-9:00 P.M. – Chicago Med
9:00-10:00 P.M. – Chicago Fire
10:00-11:00 P.M. – Chicago P.D.
FRIDAY, OCT. 3
8:00-9:00 P.M. – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (Friday premiere)
SATURDAY, OCT. 4
11:30 P.M.-1:00 A.M. (8:30-10 p.m. PT) – Saturday Night Live
MONDAY, NOV. 3
8:00-8:30 P.M. – St. Denis Medical
8:30-9:00 P.M. – St. Denis Medical
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
8:00-8:30 P.M. – Happy’s Place
8:30-9:00 P.M. – Happy’s Place
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