Saturday Night Live is opening its 52nd season with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as host and KATSEYE as the musical guest.
The episode is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time and 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time on NBC.
It is also set to stream live on Peacock.
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Jalen Brunson makes his SNL hosting debut
Brunson is taking on the Studio 8H stage for the first time after a landmark year with the Knicks.
The point guard helped New York win the 2026 NBA championship, the franchise’s first title in 53 years, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals.
His appearance gives the season premiere a strong New York connection, linking the long-running comedy show with one of the city’s biggest sports stories of 2026.
Brunson is also joining a select group of NBA figures who have hosted Saturday Night Live, including Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and LeBron James.
The hosting appearance comes shortly before the Knicks begin defending their championship.
New York is scheduled to open its title defence on October 20 against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
KATSEYE joins the season opener
KATSEYE is making its Saturday Night Live debut as musical guest.
The global girl group was selected to perform alongside Brunson in the first episode of Season 52.
NBCUniversal also identified the group’s latest release as its third EP, “WILD,” and noted that KATSEYE is touring under the WILDWORLD banner.
The pairing gives the episode two distinct draws: a championship-winning NBA star making his first appearance as host and a rising pop act appearing on the programme for the first time.
What comes next on Saturday Night Live
NBCUniversal has announced the hosts and musical guests for several of the first episodes of the new season.
| Date | Host | Musical guest |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2026 | Jalen Brunson | KATSEYE |
| October 3, 2026 | Dakota Johnson | Turnstile |
| October 10, 2026 | Shane Gillis | Rosalía |
| October 31, 2026 | Inde Navarrette | Gracie Abrams |
Dakota Johnson is returning to host for the third time on October 3, while Turnstile is scheduled to make its musical-guest debut.
Shane Gillis is set to host on October 10, with Rosalía returning as musical guest.
The show is then scheduled to return on Halloween with Inde Navarrette hosting and Gracie Abrams performing.
How to watch Saturday Night Live
Viewers in the United States can watch the Season 52 premiere live on NBC or stream it through Peacock.
The listed broadcast time is 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with the programme beginning at 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Canadian viewers should check their local NBC availability or streaming options, as schedules and access can vary by provider.
The premiere marks Brunson’s first major comedy-show hosting assignment and begins a new season of the NBC sketch series with a lineup that combines film, stand-up comedy, television and music guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is hosting the Saturday Night Live Season 52 premiere?
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is hosting the Season 52 premiere for the first time.
Who is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live?
KATSEYE is scheduled to perform as the musical guest.
When does Saturday Night Live air?
The premiere is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time and 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Where can viewers stream Saturday Night Live?
The episode is scheduled to stream live on Peacock in addition to airing on NBC.
Who hosts the next Saturday Night Live episodes?
Dakota Johnson is scheduled for October 3, Shane Gillis for October 10 and Inde Navarrette for October 31, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key host, musical guest, scheduling and season information was checked against NBCUniversal and NBA announcements.
Disclaimer: Broadcast availability and streaming access may vary by country, television provider and subscription plan.