Paul McCartney appeared as the musical guest on the season 51 [1] finale of Saturday Night Live on May 15, 2026 [1].

The performance marks a rare appearance by the former Beatle on the sketch comedy series, bridging the gap between classic rock history and modern television audiences.

During the broadcast, McCartney performed a total of three songs [3]. He opened the musical segment with "Days We Left Behind" and followed with the hit "Band on the Run" [2].

Reports on the final performance vary among sources. Some accounts state the musician closed the show with a surprise encore of "Coming Up" [4], a detail not listed in all reports of the evening's setlist [2].

The finale featured other notable appearances, including Will Ferrell and Chad Smith [1]. McCartney's presence served as the centerpiece for the closing of the season, providing a high-profile conclusion to the 51st [1] iteration of the long-running program.

While the show is known for its revolving door of contemporary stars, the inclusion of McCartney underscores the program's continued reliance on legacy acts to drive viewership for its milestone episodes. The performance of "Band on the Run" highlighted the enduring popularity of the artist's solo catalog beyond his work with the Beatles.

“Paul McCartney appeared as the musical guest on the season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live.”

McCartney's appearance on a season finale suggests that Saturday Night Live continues to use legacy musical icons to maintain prestige and broad demographic appeal. By performing both new and classic material, McCartney reinforces his relevance in the current cultural landscape while leveraging the show's massive platform to reach younger generations.