For decades, Saturday Night Live (SNL) has remained a popular theater-going outlet for locals and travelers to New York City. Consequently, live SNL tickets are hard to come by. However, most city visitors are unaware of the insider tricks that will secure them a seat at the live filming. With some strategic trip planning, you can order tickets ahead of time since producers want to ensure a full audience. Alternatively, you can embrace the New York style by lining up for standby tickets on the day of the show. Once you’re inside the live taping, you are guaranteed a night filled with laughter alongside some of your favorite television personalities.

Ordering Tickets in Advance

Plan your SNL night out a summer ahead by applying for the ticket lottery in August. Simply submit a request to NBC Studios via email, clearly stating why they should pick you as part of their studio audience. Be sure to include your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address in the body of the email. However, keep in mind that only those selected will receive an email confirmation in September. If chosen, you will receive two tickets to either a live taping or a dress rehearsal on a random date. Nevertheless, since you cannot request a specific date to attend the taping, it can be challenging to incorporate this New York City outing into your trip itinerary.

What are your chances of winning? Some people certainly get lucky or have an exceptional story, but realistically, it’s a bit of a gamble. Not to worry, though; if you don’t hear back, you can always try your luck with Standby tickets.

Going Standby

Standby SNL tickets are distributed at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the taping under the “NBC Studios” marquee on the 48th Street side of Rockefeller Center. Choosing standby tickets is an excellent option if you want to guarantee your attendance on the exact date of your visit to New York City. However, remember that many individuals line up early, so arriving within an hour of ticket distribution could result in missing out. Once you join the line for standby tickets, prepare to remain in it for the entire duration, allowing only for a brief pause to grab coffee or use the restroom. Moreover, make sure to check Saturday Night Live’s website to confirm an airing is scheduled for your selected day before you wait in line.

With SNL standby tickets, you gain entry to either the 8:00 p.m. dress rehearsal or the 11:30 p.m. live show, and only one ticket is issued per person; hence, it’s advisable that your entire group stays in line together. It’s important to note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission. You must also arrive at the theater during the admissions time to ensure the seats are available.

Special Considerations

SNL ticketing is exclusive to audience members over the age of 16. Additionally, be aware that both weather conditions and the evening’s guest host significantly affect the availability of standby tickets, as well as when the lines start to form.

If you’re fortunate enough to obtain one of these exclusive passes to the filming, aim to arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. for the dress rehearsal and 10:45 p.m. for the live show to check for availability. Also, don’t forget to bring a sweater or jacket to the taping; the studio is kept cool to maintain comfort for both the actors and the audience.