Everything You Need to Know About Season 51 of Saturday Night Live: Latest News and Updates

Saturday Night Live has announced its host lineup for January 2026.

As it gears up for Season 51, the iconic NBC late-night sketch comedy show has bid farewell to several familiar faces. Five new cast members have joined the ensemble in anticipation of a fresh season. The hosts and musical guests for three upcoming November episodes have also been finalized.

Here’s what we know about Saturday Night Live Season 51:

When did SNL Season 51 start?

Season 51 kicked off on Saturday, October 4.

Who hosted the first episode of SNL Season 51?

Super Bowl headliner Bad Bunny returned to Studio 8H for his second stint as host, leading the premiere episode.

Who else will host in SNL Season 51?

The upcoming January 2026 hosts include Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, One Battle After Another star Teyana Taylor, and Pillion star Alexander Skarsgård, all making their hosting debuts.

Other notable hosts include Amy Poehler from Parks and Recreation, along with Sabrina Carpenter, who will serve as both host and musical guest on her October 18 appearance.

During the season’s start, Bad Bunny was joined by Doja Cat as the musical guest, while debuting musical guest Role Model performed with Poehler on October 11, coinciding with the show’s original premiere date.

What is the SNL Season 51 schedule?

The following dates and host-musical guest pairings have been confirmed:

• Saturday, Oct. 4: Bad Bunny (Host) & Doja Cat (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Oct. 11: Amy Poehler (Host) & Role Model (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Sabrina Carpenter (Host AND Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Miles Teller (Host) & Brandi Carlile (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Nov. 8: Nikki Glaser (Host) & Sombr (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Nov. 15: Glen Powell (Host) & Olivia Dean (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Dec. 6: Melissa McCarthy (Host) & DIJON (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Dec. 13: Josh O’Connor (Host) & Lily Allen (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Dec. 20: Ariana Grande (Host) & Cher (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Jan. 17: Finn Wolfhard (Host) & A$AP Rocky (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Jan. 24: Teyana Taylor (Host) & Geese (Musical Guest)
• Saturday, Jan. 31: Alexander Skarsgård (Host) & Cardi B (Musical Guest)

Who is in the cast of SNL Season 51?

Bowen Yang, a key member of the ensemble, departed the cast in December.

Joining the show this season is Ben Marshall from the comedy troupe Please Don’t Destroy, known for previous contributions to the series. The other members of the trio—Martin Herlihy and John Higgins—are expected to remain as a writer and to depart, respectively.

In addition to Marshall, four newcomers will join the cast: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

With a significant number of veterans leaving, the returning cast is seeing considerable changes ahead of the new season.