When planning a visit to NYC, it’s common to purchase tickets for Broadway shows weeks or even months in advance. While booking ahead is advisable for a large group or family outing, there are a surprising number of options for those who want same-day tickets and a more spontaneous night on the town. So if a last-minute trip has brought you to the City, or that coveted dinner reservation fell through, here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for scoring last-minute seats—they’re often more attainable than you might think.
TKTS Booth, Times Square. Photo: Brittany Petronella
TKTS Booth
For more than 40 years, the
• While the kiosk starts selling tickets at 3pm, some theaters wait until 6pm to release seats to TKTS—so keep an eye out for your favorite show. If you plan right, stopping by later can mean a shorter wait time and good seats to a different production.
• Window #12, on the west side of the booth, is usually reserved for plays only (as opposed to musicals)—it’s often a much shorter line to purchase tickets.
Theater Apps
Of course, technology is also a great way to get last-minute tickets. TKTS has an
Frozen. Photo: Deen van Meer
Ticketing Websites
If you’re picky about your seat location and the shows you want to see, you can often find same-day seats on more traditional ticketing sites like Ticketmaster, Telecharge and even here on
Rush Tickets
Since the debut of Rent on Broadway more than 20 years ago, popular shows have offered rush tickets directly from the theater box office for same-day performances. The average price for these seats is around $40, but getting them involves investing some time and arriving a few hours before showtime to wait in line. Some rush tickets also require you to be a student or below a certain age.
Dear Evan Hansen. Photo: Matthew Murphy
SRO
SRO is showbiz speak for “standing room only.” When a show’s seats are sold out, some theaters offer SRO tickets for the back of the orchestra. These ducats run $25–$40 and are usually sold at the box office, though some shows utilize an online system. To find out if a show has SRO available, check directly with the box office or consult its listing on
Cancellation Line
If you’re looking to get that golden ticket for a less-than-precious-metal price (see Hamilton), the cancellation line is the way to go. The box office will offer canceled tickets at face value. The only catch is that you have to line up outside the box office and wait; a minimum of two hours before curtain is the general rule—but check with the theater, as this varies for some shows. Inclement weather can lead to more cancellations than usual, especially in the winter.