SNL Season 52 Premiere: Jalen Brunson Hosts, KATSEYE Performs
NBC's Saturday Night Live begins its 52nd season with a new episode on Sept. 26, 2026. NBA star Jalen Brunson will make his hosting debut, while the band KATSEYE will perform as musical guest for the first time. The season arrives amid cast changes, and Dakota Johnson is set to host the following week.
SNL returns for its 52nd season on Sept. 26, 2026, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Jalen Brunson, an NBA champion, makes his hosting debut, while KATSEYE, an LA band, performs for the first time. The premiere follows cast changes: Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and Martin Herlihy departed; Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline become repertory players, with Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter joining as featured players.
Next week, Dakota Johnson hosts for the third time on Oct. 3, after her film “Verity” releases. Turnstile debuts as musical guest. Episodes air at 11:30 p.m. ET, with sketches later on YouTube and full episodes on Peacock.
The season premiere may draw basketball fans and KATSEYE listeners who do not usually watch SNL, potentially broadening the show’s weekly audience. Cast turnover could also shift longtime viewers’ expectations and give newer performers more visibility. For NBC and Peacock, the episode may serve as a live-event and streaming draw, while the following week’s Dakota Johnson episode could sustain attention among film and rock fans.