What’s the fastest way to get last-minute Broadway tickets?
You have five real options. Each one works. The trick is knowing which to use and when.
1. TKTS Discount Booth
The TKTS booth in Times Square (47th Street and Broadway, under the red steps) is the classic move. It sells same-day tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at 20-50% off face value. You pick from whatever’s available on the board that day.
- Evening shows: Booth opens at 3pm (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun) or 2pm (Tue). Saturday evening sales start at 3pm.
- Matinees: Wed and Sat matinee tickets sell starting at 10am. Sunday matinees start at 11am.
- Pro tip: The line at the Times Square location gets long. The TKTS booth at Lincoln Center (61st and Broadway) and the TKTS booth in Downtown Brooklyn (1 MetroTech Center) are the same prices with shorter waits. The Lincoln Center and Brooklyn booths also sell next-day matinee tickets the evening before.
- Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted. Service charge of $6 per ticket.
2. Digital Lotteries
Most major Broadway shows run daily digital lotteries for deeply discounted tickets, usually $30-$40 per ticket for orchestra or front mezzanine seats. You enter the day before or the morning of the performance.
- Where to enter: Download the TodayTix app or go to BroadwayDirect.com. Individual shows also run lotteries through their own apps or websites.
- Popular lotteries: Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, MJ the Musical, and Back to the Future all run daily digital lotteries.
- How it works: Enter your name, select the number of tickets (usually 1-2), and wait. Winners are notified a few hours before showtime. You pick up tickets at the box office with a valid photo ID.
- Odds: Varies wildly. Newer hit shows are harder to win. Lesser-known shows have much better odds.
3. Rush Tickets
Some shows sell a limited number of rush tickets when the box office opens, typically at 10am. These are first come, first served, in person, at the theater’s box office. Prices range from $30 to $49.
- Shows currently offering rush tickets change seasonally. Check the show’s official website or ask at the box office.
- Arrive at least 30-60 minutes before the box office opens for popular shows.
4. Standing Room Only (SRO)
When a show is officially sold out, some theaters release standing room only tickets at the box office. These typically cost $29-$39 and go on sale the morning of a sold-out performance.
- SRO spots are at the back of the orchestra. You stand for the full show (roughly 2.5 hours).
- Not every show offers SRO. The Lion King and Wicked are known for it.
5. Resale and Last-Minute Apps
- TodayTix also sells regular-priced and discounted tickets, not just lottery entries. Last-minute inventory often drops the day before a show.
- SeatGeek and StubHub are the main resale platforms. Prices fluctuate. Check the night before or the morning of for price drops as sellers try to unload tickets.
- Telecharge and Ticketmaster (the official Broadway ticketing platforms) sometimes release house seats or returns close to showtime.
What are the top Broadway shows currently playing and how do I get tickets?
The lineup shifts every season, but long-running anchors include The Lion King (Minskoff Theatre), Wicked (Gershwin Theatre), Hamilton (Richard Rodgers Theatre), Chicago (Ambassador Theatre), and MJ the Musical (Neil Simon Theatre). Newer productions rotate in regularly.
For any of these, your ticket options are:
- Full price through Telecharge.com or Ticketmaster.com
- Discount through TKTS or TodayTix
- Lottery through the show’s official lottery or TodayTix
- Rush or SRO at the box office
What are the most affordable Broadway shows with tickets under $200?
Almost every show has tickets under $200 if you know where to look. Rear mezzanine seats for most productions start between $79 and $150 at face value. TKTS discounts bring many tickets into the $50-$100 range. Lottery and rush tickets bring the floor down to $30-$49.
Shows that consistently offer the best value:
- Lottery winners: Hamilton, MJ the Musical, Back to the Future (all $30-$40 lottery)
- TKTS regulars: Newer or mid-run shows appear on the TKTS board more frequently than blockbusters. Check the TKTS app before you get in line to see what’s available.
- Off-Broadway: Don’t overlook Off-Broadway. Shows like Stomp (Orpheum Theatre) and Blue Man Group (Astor Place Theatre) deliver a full New York theater experience at lower price points.
Can you recommend restaurants near the Theater District for a pre-show dinner?
The Theater District sits between 40th and 54th Streets, from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue. You’re surrounded by options. Here are reliable picks that understand the pre-theater timeline:
- Joe Allen (326 W 46th St): The theater industry’s unofficial canteen. American bistro fare. They know how to get you out by curtain.
- Becco (355 W 46th St): Lidia Bastianich’s Italian spot on Restaurant Row. The prix fixe pasta tasting is fast, filling, and well-priced.
- Sardi’s (234 W 44th St): Old-school Broadway institution. Walls covered in caricatures of theater legends. Go for the atmosphere.
- Don Antonio (309 W 50th St): Neapolitan pizza, including the signature fried-dough “montanara” pie. Quick, excellent, no fuss.
- Marseille (630 9th Ave at 44th St): French-Mediterranean brasserie. Solid pre-theater prix fixe menu.
Timing tip: Book a reservation for 5:30pm or 6pm to eat comfortably before an 8pm curtain. Most Theater District restaurants offer pre-theater prix fixe menus in that window, typically $35-$55 per person for two or three courses.
Tips only a local would tell you
- Curtain times vary. Most evening shows start at 8pm, but some (especially musicals) start at 7pm or 7:30pm. Check your ticket.
- Tuesday is the new Monday. Most Broadway theaters are dark on Monday. Tuesday evening is often the least crowded performance of the week.
- The TKTS app shows today’s available shows before you get in line. Download it. Don’t waste time standing in line for a show that isn’t on the board.
- Cancellation lines exist. If a show is sold out everywhere, show up at the box office 30-60 minutes before curtain and ask to join the cancellation line. Returned tickets get sold at face value.
- Get to the theater early. Doors typically open 30 minutes before curtain. Latecomers may not be seated until a scene break.
Turn this guide into a personalized plan.
Frequently asked questions
- How early should I line up at the TKTS booth in Times Square?
- Arrive 30-60 minutes before the booth opens for the best selection. The line moves steadily but grows fast, especially on Saturdays. The TKTS booths at Lincoln Center and Downtown Brooklyn have significantly shorter waits.
- Can I enter multiple Broadway lotteries at the same time?
- Yes. You can enter lotteries for as many shows as you want on the same day through TodayTix and BroadwayDirect. If you win more than one, you choose which to accept.
- Are last-minute Broadway tickets good seats or bad seats?
- It depends on the method. Lottery tickets are often excellent seats in the orchestra or front mezzanine. Rush and SRO tickets are typically in less desirable locations. TKTS tickets vary by show and availability.
- Do Broadway shows sell out completely, or is there always a way to get in?
- Hit shows like Hamilton and Wicked do sell out regularly, but between lotteries, rush tickets, SRO, cancellation lines, and resale platforms, there is almost always a path to getting in. Flexibility on which show you see dramatically improves your chances.
- Is it cheaper to buy Broadway tickets online or at the box office?
- The box office eliminates service fees charged by third-party platforms, which can save $10-$25 per ticket. Rush and SRO tickets are only available at the box office. For discounted tickets, TKTS and TodayTix are your best online options.