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If you’ve ever dreamed of watching Weekend Update unfold live from a folding chair at 30 Rock, now’s your shot: the Saturday Night Live ticket lottery for the 2025–2026 season officially opens at 12 am ET on Aug. 1. It closes on Aug. 31 at 11:59 pm ET, and you only get one entry, so make it count.
To enter, send a single email to [email protected] with your full name and a short note on why you want to be in the audience. Go ahead and gush (tastefully). Just know that applying early, late or more than once will get your submission disqualified. And if you’re under 16, sorry, this sketch comedy club’s off-limits.
Winners (chosen at random) will receive free tickets for a random show date and time. You’ll only be contacted if you’re selected, so don’t spend all of September refreshing your inbox.
If you’re not one of the chosen few, don’t despair—standby tickets are still on the table if you're willing to work for them.
Here’s how that works:
The standby reservation portal opens at 10 am ET on the Thursday before a live show. You can select the 8 pm dress rehearsal or the 11:30 pm live broadcast. Once you book, you’ll receive a reservation number (eventually—it might take hours).
Show up in person at the NBC Studios marquee on W. 49th St between 6–7 pm on Friday and check in with a valid ID. You’ll then line up, by number and wait until 12:01 am Saturday, when actual standby cards are handed out.
Standby hopefuls, take note: No tents, booze, sleeping bags or line-sitters allowed. If you bail on the line, you lose your chance. The cards are one per person and do not guarantee entry, but hey, it’s still one of NYC’s most iconic (and free) rites of passage.
And if all else fails? Book an NBC Studio Tour for a peek at Studio 8H, no reservation emails required.
For a full breakdown of the rules—and your best shot at hearing “Live from New York!” in person—visit the NBC ticket info page.