Discover the best ways to snag affordable Broadway tickets! From daily and weekly lotteries to discount ticket sites, we’ve outlined the top options to help you enjoy world-class theater without breaking the bank.
We will cover:
- B’way Rush Website
- Lottery Tickets
- Rush Tickets – Line up vs Digital
- Standing Room Only (SRO)
- TKTS Booth
- Theater Development Fund (TDF)
- TodayTix
- Theatr App
- Box Office
- Broadway Week
- Broadway Roulette
- Broadway Box
- For Young People
The best place to start your research is the website B’Way Rush. It’s dedicated to providing up-to-date information on discounted ticket options like lotteries, rush tickets, standing room only (SRO) tickets, and special promotions for various performances. The site features a weekly schedule, highlighting shows with available discounted tickets, along with specific details such as performance times and ticket prices. A particularly valuable resource!
Lottery Tickets
There are plenty of ways to score cheap Broadway tickets through lotteries! Some lotteries require daily entries, while others allow you to enter once a week for the entire week. Ticket prices start as low as $10 for shows like Hamilton and $25 for Cabaret, with most averaging around $49 and some reaching up to $65.
AWNY member Zoe Wetherall recommends creating a shortcuts folder on your phone for lottery sites and setting reminders for entry deadlines to stay on top of the process. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of lottery websites that cover most Broadway ticket lotteries.
Rush Tickets
Line up in person
In-person rush tickets allow people to purchase discounted tickets, usually available on the day of the performance. These tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, typically in the morning when the box office opens, and are limited in number. The price is usually lower than standard tickets, but the seating options may be limited to less desirable sections of the theater.
Stay tuned to message boards like Broadway World, where you can search for terms like “Outsiders Rush” to find discussions about the rush line, including when people started lining up. Alternatively, for highly sought-after shows, you can visit the box office just before it opens and ask the first person in line about their arrival time. Often, the box office staff also have information on when the first person shows up each morning.
If the box office opens at 10am you might need to be in line at 6am or earlier for extremely popular shows. Bring a folding chair, food and something to entertain yourself while you wait. Occasionally you can get lucky with rush tickets still available just before a show if you ask at the box office.
Digital Rush
Some shows also offer a digital rush option through their website or an app. They will be available for same day purchase in the morning on the day of the show. It can get competitive for popular shows so you need to be ready the second they are released, and even then it can become a bit of a lottery for who gets access to tickets. Here are two excellent websites for securing digital rush tickets.
Standing Room Only (SRO)
Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets offer a budget-friendly way to see sold-out Broadway shows by standing in designated areas at the back of the theater. These tickets are only sold when a show is sold out or likely to sell out, and they are available on the day of the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. In-person purchase at the box office is required (one ticket per person). Not all theaters offer SRO tickets, so check the B’way Rush site or ask at the box office. Despite standing, SRO tickets provide an affordable way to enjoy top-tier productions with clear views of the stage, and sometimes, if an empty seat is available at intermission, you may be allowed to take it.
The TKTS Booth in Times Square is popular with tourists for discounted Broadway tickets, but locals tend to skip it. While it offers same-day tickets cheaper than retail, the savings are often modest, and you’ll need to wait in long lines in the busy Times Square crowds. It can be convenient if you’re nearby, but there are usually better options for discounts.
Theatre Development Fund (TDF)
Becoming a member of TDF gives you access to deeply discounted tickets for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and other live performances. Membership is open to eligible individuals, including students, teachers, retirees, arts professionals, and others—check the full eligibility requirements here. While TDF also operates the iconic TKTS Booth for same-day ticket discounts, membership allows you to skip the lines and purchase tickets online a few days in advance.
The TodayTix website and app pulls together a list of several discount Broadway shows. The pros are it’s easy and allows you to see all the discount ticket options for NYC shows in one place. The cons are there’s a pretty hefty booking fee, unless you choose a no-fee promotion. These days you can also see some rush and lottery tickets here too. A good tip is to check the ticket prices here, then go to the box office in person to get the same ticket without the fee.
The Theatr app is a great platform for resale tickets. It allows users to buy and sell tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, often at lower prices than traditional resale sites. The app aims to create a community of theatergoers by providing a trustworthy and user-friendly marketplace for individuals to exchange tickets securely. With features like price transparency and buyer/seller protections, it’s an ideal option for finding last-minute deals or selling tickets you can no longer use.
Show Up at the Box Office
Sometimes the stars align and you turn up at the box office (located at each show’s theater) and you can find standing room, rush or discount tickets. Just ask what the cheapest discount tickets are on the day of a show and see what happens. It’s also just a good option to avoid online booking fees.
This is a semi-annual event where theater enthusiasts can enjoy discounted tickets to some of Broadway’s top shows. Typically held in January/February and September, the event offers “2-for-1” ticket deals or significant price reductions, making Broadway more accessible to locals and visitors. Often prices are not quite as cheap as some other options though.
This site is a little bit of fun if you aren’t attached to the show you want to see. You choose the day and pay a flat rate depending on whether you want to see a play, musical or off-Broadway show. You can cross out a certain number of options you aren’t interested in seeing, and it will spin the wheel and allocate you a surprise option. The tickets cost approximately $49-$79.
Broadway Box is a website that offers discounted tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, as well as other theater and live entertainment events in New York City. It’s a popular resource for both locals and tourists looking to save money on theater tickets without sacrificing seat quality. Sign up for free to be notified about the latest discounts.
For Young People
There are also cheap tickets for young people at these places:
- Hiptix – Roundabout’s low-price ticket program for 18–40 year olds.
- Linctix – Lincoln Center Theater’s discount ticket program for 18-35 year olds.
- Manhattan Theater Club – $30 tickets for people aged under 35.
- Kids Night on Broadway – a special program where children under 18 can receive a free ticket when accompanied by a full-paying adult. This event typically takes place twice a year, in February and late August. Tickets for popular shows like The Lion King and Harry Potter sell out quickly, so be ready to act fast when they go on sale.
That’s it for now. If you have any other tips and tricks let us know.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 
you forgot broadwaybox.com
Thanks for the tip! Have added 🙂