Get the Best Broadway Show Tickets For Less: a how-to

Last Updated on January 6, 2020

If it’s been a while since you last purchased Broadway show tickets, prepare for sticker shock. Premium seats at popular New York City musical theaters now go for well over $200, and the most highly prized seats can be much, much more–think an insanely high $850 for the best seats to Hamilton.

There are a number of online vendors that promise cheap tickets, but how to know if you’re getting good value? Here’s my tried and true guide to finding the best tickets to Broadway shows at discount prices.

Table of Contents

What are popular shows on Broadway?

A free subscription to Playbill Club keeps you posted about the latest shows and special offers, and club membership gets you into the discount listings. NYC Go Seats provides show synopses and a database to sort these by genre and audiences; ticket purchases automatically pull up the best seats available.

New York City Theater does a good job of describing all kinds of shows; even better, it includes information on parking, dining, and hotels. This is a good place to learn about upcoming shows and those in previews; note that tickets offered for sale are resale tickets that may be sold at above face value.

Broadway World provides show and travel discounts, plus it lists college and high school productions where you can catch the next star (at rock bottom prices.)

When is the best time to buy a Broadway show ticket?

There is a big difference in price for Broadway shows during the high-demand holiday season versus the slow months of January, February, September, and October. Not only are ticket prices lower, these months bring special events that make a theater outing even more wonderful.

Broadway Week typically runs in fall and winter. This year it falls on Jan. 21-Feb 9, 2020 with two-for-one deals on some of the hottest shows. On February 21, 2020, Kids Night On Broadway gets kids in free when accompanied by an adult. Additional perks available when you sign up for the fan club.

Where are the best seats in a theater for watching a musical?

Not all front row seats are created equal. Depending on the layout of the theater, sometimes front mezzanine seats offer the best view of the stage. Check Headout Blog for Broadway theater seating charts and tips to find the best seats in the house.

Get a Broadway Show Discount Guide subscription ($4.95 for 30 days) for exclusive discounts on Broadway shows, but many discounts are visible on New York Show Tickets site. They also list Lottery Tickets, Rush Tickets, and Standing Room Only Tickets.

How to get best prices on broadway show tickets?

If choosing a specific seat is important to you, and money is no object, you might as well order tickets directly from the venue.

However, if you’re looking for the cheapest tickets, your best bet is the same day red-and-white TKTs booths in Times Square, Lincoln Center, and the South Street Seaport. You don’t even have to wait till the last minute. Next-day matinee tickets are available, in addition to same-day matinee and evening tickets.

TKTS is operated by the nonprofit Theatre Development Fund (TDF) which provides a membership subscription service online that lists discounted tickets as much as weeks in advance. There is an annual fee to join, but you must be a student, a teacher, a union member, a civil service employee, a nonprofit or performing arts organization employee, in the armed forces, full-time clergy, a retiree, or a freelancer.

Another option is to get a Broadway Show Discount Guide subscription ($4.95 for 30 days) for exclusive discounts on Broadway shows, but many discounts are visible on New York Show Tickets site. They also list Lottery Tickets, Rush Tickets, and Standing Room Only Tickets.

Billboard for Wicked Broadway Show tickets in New York City

How to get Broadway tickets at a discount in New York?

Pick up a discount code on Playbill, TheaterMania, BroadwayBox, or New York Show Tickets and use it to buy tickets from the theater website (usually through an affiliated ticket vendor such as Telecharge or Ticketmaster.) If you’re in the city, save the online fees and use the discount codes at the theater box office.

How to Afford Broadway?

Don’t spend a cent. Use points from rewards programs to fund tickets. Telecharge makes it easy by showing American Express preferred seating on the seating chart, and it gives you the option of using your reward points at checkout.

What are rush tickets?

Wait until the day of the show when, in addition to the TKTs booths, discounted tickets can be purchased as Rush tickets.

These are usually available in the last hours before the show at the theater, and may only be available to students and seniors. Check the performance space website for details, and find out if the venue offers Standing Room Only tickets (sometimes even available for sold out performances.)

But some rush tickets can be purchased online. Find out which theaters offer rush tickets on TheaterMania. Or check the TodayTix Rush Roundup for information and ticket sales.

Off Broadway Shows

Don’t limit your search to just Broadway shows. By definition, an Off-Broadway theater is any performance venue in New York City that seats 100 to 499.

There are a lot of amazing performances in Manhattan at Off-Broadway theaters, and you might just luck out seeing a show that will eventually move on up to Broadway.

Find discount Off-Broadway tickets on Broadway World or on BroadwayBox.

For even better savings, check the TDF’s Off-Off Broadway listings (available separately with a one-time fee of $5 or with TDF membership.)

Broadway Tours

A very few theaters offer backstage tours. When available, it’s a rare opportunity to meet actors, see the sets, and to learn what goes into producing these elaborate spectacles.

The only regularly scheduled backstage tours available to individuals is Behind The Emerald Curtain, a look at Wicked being performed at the Gershwin Theater. New Amsterdam Theater, home to Aladdin, makes a Behind The Magic tour available to groups. (They also offer Broadway Workshops.)

Additionally, theaters will occasionally offer backstage tours in charity drives or as a premium ticket option. Check theater websites for available information.

Finally, a few tour companies run Broadway theater district walking tours. Check their websites for tour descriptions, prices, and availability:

Take a Broadway Show Home with You

The best souvenir from a Broadway Show is the memories that last a lifetime. But you can also drop a lot of moolah at theater gift shops.

One way to save money, and the expense of overweight luggage, is to shop online. Here are a few favorite items:

Listen to the production over and over again. We love the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton.
Any singers in the house? Order the Show Lyrics. Into the Woods: Vocal Selections has easy to read sheets, plus articles and photos from Stephen Sondheim’s beloved classic.
Read all about it in the Playbill Broadway Yearbook publication, At This Theater: 100 Years of Broadway Shows, Stories and Stars.

Plan a Weekend Getaway In New York City

If you’re going to see a Broadway show, you might as well make a weekend of it. Our New York City neighborhood travel guides cover all the best things to do, top restaurants, and our favorite hotels.

8 thoughts on “Get the Best Broadway Show Tickets For Less”

Penny Sadler
December 3, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Great tips! I hope I get a chance to try them out soon!
Lillie
December 8, 2015 at 9:14 pm
I’m listening to Showtunes as I write this. 🙂 As a Broadway addict who hasn’t seen a show in person in way too long, I love and appreciate these tips!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
December 9, 2015 at 2:38 am
As a Chicagoan, I’m fortunate enough to have great shows come to town for a fraction of the cost. I love musicals but sadly skipped a show for a baseball game last time I was in NYC! Great tips – one day!
McKenzie
January 18, 2017 at 3:42 pm
You were right about not all front rows being created equal. Some theater’s front row is so close that you cannot even see the whole stage, so being in the front isn’t even as enjoyable as being further back. Thank you for sharing these amazing tips!
Cameron Bennett
September 13, 2017 at 10:12 am
I like how you listed the times of the year where Broadway is less busy. I am going to New York soon, and want to catch a show. Now I know that the time I’m going is a great time to go see a show! I want to find a good website to buy tickets from, one that I know is transparent with their transactions. There are so many out there, I will have to do a bit m ore research into finding one that works best for me.
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Adam Smith
May 14, 2020 at 5:05 am
Buying Broadway show tickets for the right price can be quite confusing with so many sources and so many different prices. We break down the various ticket sources for Broadway show tickets and include discount, face value and aftermarket Broadway tickets. 888 seats is a professional web-based retaile