top of page
Search

How to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets in NYC (2025 Guide)



Broadway on a Budget: Let’s Go


Seeing Broadway shows is one of my favorite things about living in NYC.


There's not much else that touches my heart and gets my spirits soaring like people belting their faces off and tapping like their lives depend on it.


But full-price tickets can be expensive! The average Broadway ticket price is around $128 and that varies widely depending on the show and the cast.


As a budget-loving, frugal-living gal who’d ideally see a show every night of the week, I've become pretty good at finding deals and discounts.


There are tons of ways to score affordable Broadway tickets these days. In this post, I'll give you a quick intro to these methods and take it a step further by showing you how I integrate them into my daily life. 


Dare I say it's an art? ☺️


How I See Broadway Shows for $50 or Less (Yes, Really!)


In the past year, I’ve seen 20 Broadway shows. Here’s a peek at some of the shows I’ve seen and what I've paid:


  • The Great Gatsby (2025) - $45 - Telecharge Lottery

  • The Outsiders (2025) - $45 - Standing Room Only

  • Boop! (2025) - $57 - Theatr App (resale of lottery win)

  • Sunset Boulevard (2025)  - $46 - Lucky Seat Lottery

  • Death Becomes Her (2025) - $40 - Broadway Direct Lottery

  • Real Women Have Curves (2025) - $63 - TDF

  • Maybe Happy Ending (2025) - $49 - Telecharge Lottery

  • Operation Mincemeat (2025) - $39 - Telecharge Lottery



 

Resources:

I describe all of these in detail below, but here are links for easy reference:


Discount tickets


Additional resources:



 

How to Find Discount Broadway Tickets

(and Off Broadway; let's give it lots of love too!)


Click on the toggle to learn more!


TKTS

Pros:

  • 30-60% off regular ticket prices

  • You can see what's available before going in person via the app and website

  • Good variety of shows (except the mega-hits)

  • You can choose what seats you want from their available options


Cons:

  • Limited to same-day or next-day matinee performances only

  • Sometimes long lines (especially in Times Square)

  • Popular shows may not be available


Where to find it:

  • Times Square (more crowded)

  • Lincoln Center (quieter)


🎭 Chelsea's Pro Tip: Use the TKTS app before heading to the booth! Check real-time availability so you know what's playing before making the trip.

TDF

Digital Lottery

Digital Rush

In-person Rush

Theatr App

Standing Room Only (SRO)



 


Putting it into action

Now that you know the methods, here are tips to implement them:


🗓️ Daily routine:

Enter lotteries each morning for next-day shows via Telecharge and Broadway Direct (takes 5 minutes)


🗓️ Weekly routine:

Enter lotteries for the week via Lucky Seat, Hamilton App, and Harry Potter (Today Tix)


⏰ Set alarms for digital rushes at 9 am (TodayTix) and 11 am (Telecharge)


🎭 Decide if you want to wake up early to in-person rush and plan accordingly if so (make sure to check Reddit Broadway thread for an idea of how early to get there)


🔔 Set up your price alert notifications on Theatr App


📋 Have a TKTS backup plan for days you really want to see something but didn't win the lottery or rush tickets.


🎟️ Go to the box office before the show to see what tickets they have left (they’ll often sell them at a discount close to show time) or if they have Standing Room Only tickets left.


👇 Follow the calendar I made (see below) to stay organized


🎭 Chelsea's Pro Tip: If you're visiting NYC, plan your must-see show in advance and enter lotteries for the other days of your trip for potential bonus shows!


 

Calendar Cheat Sheet


If this all sounds confusing and you’re like, “Chelsea, that’s a lot of information, JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO.”


Voila! Here’s a handy dandy calendar cheat sheet for you to download!


Yes, you can download this!
Yes, you can download this!


 


Downsides to Budget Broadway:


  • Quantity Limitations: You can only buy 1-2 tickets at a time for most discount methods

  • Seat Selection: Little to no choice in where you sit

  • Unpredictability: The nature of rush, lottery, and last-minute tickets means you're never guaranteed a seat

  • Time Investment: Checking apps, entering lotteries, and waiting in lines takes time


But for me, the thrill of the hunt is part of the fun! There's nothing quite like the excitement of winning a lottery or scoring that last rush ticket.



 

Frequently Asked Questions


Are rush/lottery seats usually good?

Surprisingly, yes! I've had front and second row seats through lotteries multiple times! These tickets can be partial view (I won lottery for Book of Mormon and it was a box seat), but most of them are great seats.


How early should I arrive for in-person rush? 

It varies wildly by show popularity. For average shows, 1-2 hours before box office opening is usually sufficient. For hot tickets with celebrities, people line up as early as 5-6 AM. Remember to check Reddit for your best info.


Can I enter multiple lotteries at once?

Yes, yes, yes! I enter every lottery I'm interested in every day.


Are the views good from Standing-Room-Only spots?

Generally, yes, you're at the back of the orchestra with a full view. The downside is standing, not seeing.



 

Broadway Awaits (and It Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune)


From rush lines to digital lotteries, there are ways to make Broadway work for your budget. Bookmark this page, share it with a theater-loving friend, and let me know if you find any hidden gems I should add!



 


New here?


I'm Chelsea!


An Intuitive Eating Counselor and YNAB Budget coach who also dances and is obsessedddd with Broadway.


Welcome!



Not here for Intuitive Eating stuff? No problem.


But if you are curious about healing your relationship with food, body image, or just want a dose of self-compassion in your inbox, you’re always welcome to join my weekly newsletter! 👇


It's the place to be!




bottom of page