If you love musical theater and plays, but spending hundreds of dollars on a ticket to a Broadway show seems like a stretch, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy some of the world’s best theater, whether that be a Broadway musical or Broadway play. Even with rising ticket costs, there are plenty of discounted Broadway tickets - especially if you’re willing to be flexible with timing. Broadway tickets do not have to be expensive!
If you need to see a show on a certain date, you may have less flexibility and may have to pay a certain price. However, there are a number of ways to find cheap Broadway tickets. Let's explore some of the most popular options:
5 Ways to Get Cheap or Discounted Broadway Show Tickets
Rush Tickets
Rush tickets are one of two ways to find the cheapest Broadway tickets. Rush tickets are tickets you can buy on the same day of a show. For most shows, rush tickets will be available when the box office opens around 10 am.
If you do want to rush for Broadway tickets, consider looking at Broadway grosses to understand how well the show is selling tickets. If a show is selling 80% or below, there’s a good chance that rush tickets won’t be too difficult to get. Rush is never guaranteed; if there’s a show you really want to see, rush tickets might not be the best option - especially if the show is selling well. If the show is sold out for that day, for example, there won’t be any rush tickets available.
One thing to keep in mind: not every Broadway show offers rush tickets - and even if they do, the price will differ for each show. For example, Chicago does not offer rush tickets for Saturday evening performances. It’s worth calling the ticketing agency to ask in advance to ensure you can actually get tickets. There are sites which helps keep track of which show offers rush tickets - and their prices.
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Lottery Tickets
Lottery tickets are the second most common ways to get cheap Broadway tickets. However, like rush tickets, there are only a select number of these tickets - if the show offers them. To get lottery tickets, you’ll need to enter the lottery drawing (oftentimes digital nowadays!) and win the tickets.
The types of lottery tickets you can win will differ, depending on the show. Some shows will use seats they have not yet sold and put them up in the lottery. However, other shows will use designated seats for lotteries - these might be partial view seating, for example.
How do you enter Broadway lotteries?
- Lotteries which you will enter the morning before the show. You may have an hour or less to claim tickets when you win.
- Lotteries where you can enter earlier in the week for shows later in the week. With these lotteries, you will have slightly more time to claim tickets.
Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets aren’t for everyone - but if you don’t mind standing during a show, these can be a really affordable way to see Broadway musicals and plays. Most shows will sell them at the box office in-person, but they are available for the most part when the show has sold out.
## Discounted Tickets for Younger AudiencesSeveral theater organizations will offer discounted tickets for younger audiences, though they may require you to sign up in advance and buy early.
- Theatergoers under 35 years old can join the Manhattan Theatre’s Club “30 under 35” program for free. You can buy two tickets for $30 each. The great part is that you can pick from a range of different seats.
- Theatergoers between 18 and 35 years old can sign up for LincTix for free. Then, you’ll be eligible for $35.50 tickets (purchased online) or $32 tickets (purchased in person). A limited number of these tickets are available for every performance, and you’ll need to buy them in advance.
The TKTS Booth in both Times Square and Lincoln Center is a failsafe option for cheap Broadway tickets. If you’re planning to use the TKTS booth, make sure to get there early - because there will be a line, especially at Times Square. The TKTS Booth is a last resort option for cheap tickets on Broadway.
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## TodayTixIf you need to buy specific tickets for a specific show, consider checking out TodayTix. This popular theater app will sell discounted tickets to pretty much every single Broadway show.
## Theatre Development Fund (TDF) MembershipWhile not for everyone, if you meet the Theatre Development Fund’s eligibility requirements, you can buy a TDF membership for $42. This membership will get you access to discounted tickets; you may pay between $11 to $60 for shows.
## Theatr AppTheatr is a new app which allows people to buy and sell their tickets to Broadway shows. Most shows will have full-price tickets for resale, but you can oftentimes find a great deal with discounted tickets, too.
## Historical Ticket PricesBroadway ticket prices have changed significantly over the decades. Here's a glimpse into how they've evolved:
| Year | Show | Top Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | OKLAHOMA! | $4.80 |
| 1964 | HELLO DOLLY! | $9.60 |
| 1975 | A CHORUS LINE | $15.00 |
| 1977 | THE ACT (Liza Minnelli) | $25.00 |
| 1984 | N/A | $45.00 |
| 1989 | JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY | $55.00 |
| 1994 | SHOW BOAT | $70.00 |
| Late 1990s | N/A | $90.00 |
| Early 2000s | THE PRODUCERS | $99.00 (Best seats $480!) |
| Present | Most Shows | $120+ |
As you can see, ticket prices have risen dramatically, making it essential to explore all available discount options.
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With a little planning and flexibility, you can experience the magic of Broadway without emptying your wallet. Explore these options and enjoy the show!
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