As of 2026, Saturday Night Live is officially in its 51st season, following the show’s milestone 50th anniversary celebration last year. Back in January 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a live taping of Saturday Night Live (SNL) thanks to their annual ticket lottery — something I had entered for nearly 10 years before finally getting lucky.
I found out the Tuesday before the show while I was at a basketball game (I screamed so loud I had the entire section concerned… oops). The craziest part? That Saturday was my birthday. Like… what are the odds?! It turned into one of the most memorable weekends ever, with Dakota Johnson as the host and Justin Timberlake as the musical guest — plus surprise appearances from Jimmy Fallon, Dave Chappelle, Barbara Corcoran, and Mark Cuban. It’s hard to top Ryan Gosling’s episode, but this one was definitely a standout.
I experienced it all with Sandy, and now I’m excited to share how you can score tickets too.
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The SNL Ticket Lottery
Every year, starting on August 1, SNL opens its ticket lottery to the public, and it typically runs through August 31. Be sure to set a reminder so you don’t miss the window.
To enter, send an email to [email protected] with your name, contact information, and a short note explaining why you’d love to attend. The lottery is completely random, so creativity won’t necessarily increase your odds — but it’s still fun to share why SNL means something to you.
For years, I usually mentioned how much I would love to attend a show hosted by Jim Carrey (he’s always been my favorite). After about a decade of trying, it finally paid off.
Standby Tickets: Another Option
For a long time, the advice was that you had to line up overnight on Friday and wait until Saturday morning for standby tickets. While that can still happen, SNL now offers a standby reservation system, which makes things a bit more accessible. You still need to sign up, wait for a reservation number (if you are able to get one due to capacity), and then if you reeceived a reply to your request, you have to check-in at the standby line (in-person) at the 49th Street NBC Studios Marquee the evening before the show.
If there’s a specific show you want to attend, you can request standby tickets for the dress rehearsal or the live show through the SNL standby reservation link above. This typically goes live at 10 a.m. ET on the Thursday before the show. Always check the official SNL website ahead of time for the most up-to-date information, as procedures can change from season to season.
Where I Stayed in NYC
For our trip, we stayed at Embassy Suites by Hilton New York Manhattan Times Square, located at 60 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018, and it ended up being a great home base for our SNL weekend.
The hotel is about 0.7 miles from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, making it an easy and manageable walk to and from the studio. The location was incredibly convenient, with quick access to public transportation, plenty of dining options nearby, and Times Square just a few blocks away. Walking through Midtown at night added to the overall New York experience, and getting to 30 Rock was straightforward and stress-free.
Our Experience Inside Studio 8H
Before going into the studio, the pre-show experience was honestly so much fun. There were free drinks, music playing, and even a photo booth while everyone waited to be seated. You do go through quite a bit of security to get to this point, but once you’re inside, it’s absolutely worth it.
I was giddy the entire time, walking past photos of iconic SNL skits and legendary guests from throughout the years. This is the time to take photos — once you’re seated, phones are not allowed.
You’ll also want to arrive earlier than the time listed on your reservation. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of being closer to the stage. Dressing up is recommended, too. We overheard that those dressed the nicest often get floor seats. We arrived about 30 minutes early, but getting there even earlier may increase your odds.
Being inside Studio 8H, watching the cast perform live, and feeling the electric energy of the audience was surreal. Seeing how quickly sets are changed during commercial breaks was incredibly impressive, and the studio itself was a bit smaller than I expected — which somehow made the experience feel even more special.
Final Tips for Attending Saturday Night Live
- Be patient: Whether you try the lottery or standby, persistence really does pay off.
- Travel light: Security is tight, so bring only the essentials.
- Stay flexible: Live TV is unpredictable — embrace the spontaneity.
Attending Saturday Night Live was a true bucket-list experience for me, and I hope these tips help you have the chance to experience it for yourself.
