Best Way to Buy Cheap Broadway Tickets and Save Money

I’ve always loved the theater, but let’s be honest, Broadway isn’t exactly known for its budget-friendliness. On a solo trip to New York City, I was determined to see a show without spending a small fortune. I’d used a Broadway ticket lottery in San Antonio before and figured I’d try my luck in the Big Apple. Spoiler alert: I landed a fifth-row Orchestra seat for just $45. Meanwhile, friends I met paid $175… for the back row.

That win kicked off a little obsession with hunting down discounted New York show tickets, and let me tell you, buying cheap Broadway tickets is absolutely possible, if you know where to look.

Broadway vs. Off-Broadway

If you’re planning your first visit to New York and dreaming of Broadway on a budget, it helps to know exactly where to look.

Broadway theaters are located in Midtown Manhattan, mostly clustered around Times Square. This is the heart of the city’s Theater District.

Broadway refers to larger productions in official venues with 500+ seats, while Off-Broadway shows are staged in smaller, but still fantastic, theaters. Both offer excellent performances.

Enter the Lotteries (Seriously, You Might Win)

Do you want to know my secret weapon for buying discount Broadway tickets? It’s Broadway lotteries.

Broadway lotteries, such as Broadway Direct, offer a daily digital lottery for select shows.

You enter your name, wait for the email, and if selected, you can buy premium seats for a fraction of the price.

In my case, I got an Orchestra ticket (row E!) for $45 per ticket. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. Just a Broadway ticket for someone on a budget.

The site, Lucky Seat, also runs lotteries for various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

It’s free to enter, and the more days you try, the better your chances of winning. It’s a bit like playing the lottery, but instead of losing your money, you might win the opportunity to buy Hamilton tickets at a huge discount.

Know the Magic Word: Rush

Some shows offer discounted tickets called rush tickets. Rush tickets are same-day seats sold at a steep discount, usually between $30 and $50. Each production sets its own rules, but here’s the general idea:

• In-person rush: Arrive at the box office when it opens, usually at 10 AM, and ask if they have rush tickets available. Use those specific words.
• Digital rush: Some shows sell rush tickets through apps like TodayTix.

I’ve heard of people walking up to the theater on the day of the show and scoring excellent last-minute seats for the price of a Manhattan cocktail. However, you must arrive early and be flexible.

Do you want to know if your favorite show offers rush tickets?

Visit Playbill.com. This website will guide you through the process of securing those elusive seats, whether it’s online, in-person, or through a specific app.

Tip for solo travelers: If you’re traveling solo, you may have better odds with rush tickets or lotteries. Single seats are easier to assign, and you can sometimes snag a premium view that would otherwise go unsold.

Traveling with family or friends? Keep in mind that most rush and lottery systems limit you to one or two tickets per entry, so coordinating as a group can be trickier. It’s still possible, but you just might not be seated together.

TKTS Booth Hack: Avoid Times Square

Everyone knows about the TKTS booth in Times Square, but not everyone knows there’s another location with much shorter lines at Lincoln Center. Same discounted tickets, far fewer tourists.

TKTS offers same-day tickets (up to 50% off!) for many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. It’s first-come, first-served, so go early.

Getting there: The Times Square TKTS booth is located under the red steps in Father Duffy Square.

Take the subway to Times Sq–42nd Street (1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, 7, A, C, or E lines).

For Lincoln Center, take the 1 train to 66th Street–Lincoln Center. If it’s your first time on the subway, give yourself some buffer time. It’s easy to miss a stop in the excitement.

Try for Last-Minute Cancellations

Want another sneaky way to score great seats? Last-minute cancellation tickets.

These are unclaimed or canceled tickets (often house seats) that theaters quietly release close to showtime.

Head to the box office early in the day and ask politely if they expect any same-day cancellations. It’s a long shot, but sometimes those cheap tickets turn into the best seats in the house.

Explore Official Broadway Discount Programs

The Official Broadway website regularly lists discounts and promo codes for select shows.

These are legit and safe, so you don’t have to worry about third-party scams or shady deals. It’s worth checking frequently since promotions change often.

Extra Tips for Scoring Budget Broadway Seats

• Sign up for show newsletters – Sometimes productions email out special offers and promo codes to their subscribers.
• Follow theaters and shows on social media – Flash sales and digital promotions pop up on Instagram and Twitter (fine, X).
• Set up flash deal alerts – Several discount sites notify you about limited-time offers. Be ready to jump on those cheap seats.
• Check student, military, teacher, or senior discounts – Always carry your ID. These offers are real, and they can seriously cut costs.
• Explore Off-Broadway – Still top-notch performances, often for half the price.
• Join theater membership programs – Some theater organizations offer access to discounted tickets and early sales.
• Attend free events – Keep an eye out for previews, behind-the-scenes experiences, and community theater days.
• Be flexible with your seat – Standing room only, side-view, and partial-view seats are often cheaper and still deliver a great experience.
• Network with other theater lovers – Online groups and forums are gold mines for last-minute tips and discount codes.

Final Curtain Call: Broadway Without Going Broke