Full Breakdown
No New SNL Episode on April 25, 2026 – Schedule, Hosts & How to Watch
4/26/2026, 11:48:24 AM
Core Schedule Update
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, *Saturday Night Live* did not air a fresh episode. All outlets confirm that NBC broadcast a repeat of the December 20, 2025 show hosted by Ariana Grande with musical guest Cher. The next original episode is slated for May 2, 2026, kicking off the final three installments of Season 51.
Background & Recent Season Context
Season 51 is in its closing stretch after a major cast turnover following the 50th anniversary. New featured players—including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska—joined veterans such as Michael Che, Mikey Day, Colin Jost and Bowen Yang (who exited in the December 2025 episode). Meanwhile, the digital short-form series The Rundown continues to drop new sketches each Wednesday through mid-June.
Upcoming Hosts and Musical Guests
- May 2, 2026 – Olivia Rodrigo makes her hosting debut and also serves as musical guest, performing tracks from her upcoming third studio album *You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love* (release June 12).
- May 9, 2026 – Matt Damon hosts; Noah Kahan appears as musical guest.
- May 16, 2026 – Will Ferrell returns as host, paired with musical legend Paul McCartney.
These three episodes conclude the season, after which the series traditionally returns in late September or early October; NBC has not announced a specific premiere date for Season 52.
Timeline of Final Episodes
| Date (2026) | Episode Type | Host | Musical Guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | Repeat (original Dec 20 2025) | Ariana Grande | Cher |
| May 2 | New | Olivia Rodrigo | Olivia Rodrigo |
| May 9 | New | Matt Damon | Noah Kahan |
| May 16 | New | Will Ferrell | Paul McCartney |
How to Watch (Official Statements & Responses)
- Live broadcast: Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. CT on NBC.
- Streaming live: NBC app, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV, Sling TV (select markets) and Peacock.
- On-demand: New episodes appear on Peacock the day after airing; the May 2 episode becomes available on demand starting Sunday, May 3. The April 25 repeat is also accessible on Peacock.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Photo: Nora Rockwell/NBC No, SNL is not new tonight, April 25.” — NBC Insider
- “No, Saturday Night Live is a rebroadcast tonight.” — App.com
- “Olivia Rodrigio will host and serve as the musical guest on May 2.” — App.com
- “The last three shows of Season 51 will air every Saturday night from May 2 through May 16.” — USA Today
- “THE 15 BEST SKETCHES IN SNL HISTORY: Our rankings of the best of Saturday Night Live There's no new episode on Saturday.” — FTW (USA Today)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources concur on the April 25 repeat and the May 2, 9, 16 new-episode dates, as well as streaming options. No contradictory information or missing details about the schedule were identified.
What's Next
After the May 16 finale, *SNL* will enter its customary summer hiatus. NBC has indicated that the series typically resumes in late September or early October, though a precise launch date for Season 52 remains unannounced. Viewers can stay updated via NBC’s official channels and Peacock’s schedule listings.
