How to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets: TKTS, TDF, Lotteries and Rush

Full-price Broadway tickets can run well over $100, but most shows can be seen for far less if you know where to look. Here are the legitimate ways to get cheap Broadway tickets, from the TKTS booth to digital lotteries, and how to choose the right one for your trip.

Several of these programs are run by nonprofits whose mission is getting more people into theatre seats. If you want the background, start with our explainer on TDF and the TKTS booth.

The quick answer

• Flexible on the show and going today? Try the TKTS booth.
• Set on one specific show? Enter its digital lottery and check for rush tickets.
• A student, teacher, union member, retiree or nonprofit employee? Look into TDF membership.
• The show is sold out? Ask the box office about standing room.

The TKTS booth

TKTS is run by the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a nonprofit. Its booths sell tickets to same-day matinee and evening performances, plus next-day matinees, at discounts of up to 50%. The main booth sits under the red steps in Times Square at Broadway and West 47th Street, and a second booth is inside the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.

A few tips:

• Check the board before you go. The TKTS app and TDF's website show exactly what's on sale at each booth in real time.
• Check the hours. They vary by day of the week and by season, so confirm on TDF's site.
• Be flexible. Availability changes through the day, and the best-selling shows rarely appear.

You don't need to be a TDF member to buy at TKTS. Money from booth sales helps fund TDF's education and accessibility programs.

TDF membership

If you live in or visit New York often and you qualify, TDF membership is one of the best deals in theatre. Eligible groups include students, teachers, union members, retirees, nonprofit employees and others. Check TDF's site for the full list.

• Members pay an annual fee and buy discounted tickets online, often weeks in advance.
• TDF lists Broadway tickets for members at roughly $53.50 to $62.50, with shows beyond Broadway starting around $11.
• You'll need to upload proof of eligibility to your account.
• Seats can be anywhere in the theatre, and orders can't be refunded or exchanged.

TDF membership tickets are a different inventory from what's sold at the TKTS booths. TDF also offers a free accessibility membership, TAP, for theatregoers who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, can't climb stairs, or need aisle or wheelchair seating.

Digital lotteries

Many Broadway shows hold a daily digital lottery for a small number of low-priced seats. You enter online for free, usually the day before or the morning of the performance, and winners are notified by email or in the app with a short window to buy.

• Lotteries run through platforms such as Broadway Direct, TodayTix, Lucky Seat and Telecharge, or on the show's own website.
• Prices vary by show and are usually well below box-office prices.
• Most lotteries limit winners to two tickets, and you'll need a photo ID that matches your entry.
• Enter for several shows and several days to improve your odds.

Rush tickets

Rush tickets are discounted seats sold first-come, first-served on the day of the performance.

• Digital rush tickets are released in an app, often TodayTix, at a set time in the morning.
• In-person rush tickets are sold at the theatre's box office when it opens.
• Student rush is offered by some shows to people with a valid student ID.

Rush policies change often, so check each show's official website before you plan around one.

Standing room

When a performance sells out, some theatres sell standing-room tickets at the back of the house. It's a long time on your feet, but it can be the cheapest way into a hit. Ask at the box office.

Other ways to save

• Go midweek. Tuesday through Thursday performances are often cheaper and less crowded than weekends.
• Buy from the box office. Buying directly from the theatre avoids resale markups.
• Look beyond Broadway. Off-Broadway and nonprofit theatres often have lower prices and their own discount programs.

Avoid ticket scams

Only buy from the theatre's box office, the show's official ticketing partner, or a known discount program like TKTS. Be wary of people selling tickets on the street, prices that seem too good to be true, and sellers who ask for payment by wire transfer or gift card.

Where Broadway for Democracy fits

Discount programs like TKTS and TDF exist because theatre is better when everyone can be in the room. Broadway for Democracy believes the same about civic life. We're a nonpartisan nonprofit that uses Broadway's platform to help people register, get informed and vote. Explore more in our guide to Broadway nonprofits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to see a Broadway show?

Digital lotteries usually offer the lowest prices, but you have to win. Rush tickets and the TKTS booth are the most reliable ways to get a discount on the day.

Do I need to be a TDF member to buy at TKTS?

No. Anyone can buy at the TKTS booths. TDF membership is a separate program with its own online ticket inventory.

How much do you save at TKTS?

Discounts go up to 50%, and they vary by show and performance. The TKTS app shows current prices.

Can I get Broadway lottery tickets for any show?

Not every show runs a lottery, and policies change. Check the show's official website for current lottery and rush details.

Believe theatre and civic life should be open to everyone? Donate to Broadway for Democracy.