Six Ways to Buy Cheap Broadway Tickets in New York

New York’s theatrical history dates back to the 1700s, and it’s still one of the most iconic parts of the city. But sometimes these Broadway shows can seem too out of reach because of their price tag. Even the most distant seats usually cost from $60 per ticket and sell out quickly. Fortunately, it is possible to purchase cheap tickets – you just need to know how to do it. Edition Secret NYC shared a few tips.

Method 1: Take part in the show’s digital lottery (if there is one)

Most shows have a digital lottery system. Basically, you create a login, enter up to two tickets for a show later in the day, and hope to win. You will receive an email stating that you won (or didn’t win) a few hours before the show and you only need to pay $30-$50 per ticket depending on which lottery site is running. To find out if a show you’re interested in has a lottery, visit the show’s website or Google the name of the show and add “digital lottery”. Some of them even allow you to participate a few days before the actual show.

Below are links to popular lottery shows:

On the subject: Broadway roulette: how to visit a musical in New York for $49

Way 2. Familiarize yourself with the show’s policy on burning and standing places

Many shows, especially popular ones, have a burning seat policy. This means you go to the ticket office as soon as it opens in hopes of getting cheap last-minute tickets to a show (although for popular performances, people sometimes start lining up hours beforehand). There are a limited number of these tickets every day and they cost around $35-$40. Most ticket offices open at 09:00, but check their websites to be sure.

Way 3: Look at Less Popular Timeslots

When you are looking for tickets in the usual way, look for less popular time slots. This applies to weekday evenings such as Tuesday and Wednesday, and after any major holidays. You probably won’t find anything on a budget on a weekend or in December.

Way 4: Find Special Offers for Students

If you’re a student, many shows have a separate section of tickets for students, and they cost around $20-$30 per ticket. Full-time students can regularly receive Broadway tickets at a significant discount if they receive an annual membership to the Theater Development Fund, which costs $40 per year.

Way 5: Visit the TKTS booths

The Theater Development Foundation has the famous red TKTS booth in Times Square, as well as offices at the Port on South Street and Lincoln Center. You can get up to 50% discount tickets for the show on the same day.

Way 6: Mark Broadway Week On Your Calendar

Broadway Week takes place twice a year, in winter and spring. This is the time when there are amazingly cheap Broadway tickets in the 2-for-1 category. The week has been running since 2011 and is hosted by NYC & Company as well as the Broadway League. During the week, you can get 50% off every single ticket to a Broadway show, so don’t miss your chance.