How Find Discounted Seats Without Getting Scammed

Seeing a Broadway show is one of New York City’s most unforgettable experiences. The lights, the music, the curtain rising on a live performance just feet from your seat — there’s nothing quite like it.

But whether you’re planning your very first trip to the Big Apple or hoping to grab a last-minute ticket after dinner in Times Square, figuring out how to actually get into a show can be surprisingly confusing. Between premium pricing, ticket lotteries, rush seats and a dozen different apps and websites, it’s easy to feel like you need a degree in Broadway just to buy a seat.

The good news? It’s never been easier or more flexible to see a show. There are smart, safe and budget-friendly options for every kind of theatergoer. And with a little know-how, you can avoid the common pitfalls and focus on the fun part: choosing what to see and soaking up the magic once you’re inside.

Here’s PEOPLE’s guide to buying Broadway tickets with confidence:

First, Choose Your Show (There’s No Wrong Answer)

Broadway has something for everyone — from family-friendly musicals (Wicked, Aladdin, The Lion King), radiant revivals (Chess, Ragtime), biographical hits (Just in Time, MJ: The Musical) or long-running faves (Chicago, Hamilton, The Book of Mormon), to modern must-sees (Six, Hadestown), pop-infused classics (& Juliet, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hell’s Kitchen), spectacular plays (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Stranger Things: The First Shadow) and buzzy new offerings (Maybe Happy Ending, Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and more).

The first step is figuring out what kind of theater experience you want. Are you in the mood for a laugh-out-loud comedy? A splashy musical? A stirring drama? A hit revival? A new Tony-winner? Start by evaluating what kind of night you want to have, and go from there.

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Don’t stress about picking “the right” show — if it sounds exciting to you, that’s enough.

Some ways to narrow down your choices?

• Start with what’s playing. Broadway.org has the full list of what’s on the boards. Theater-focused websites like Broadway.com, Playbill, Broadway World , Theaterly — and yes, general entertainment sites like PEOPLE — will give you rundowns of what to know about each show and news about its stars.
• Check the reviews. Critics at major entertainment outlets offer their evaluations of every show. If you want to see their opinions, head over to Did They Like It?. They round up all the professional reviews in one, easy-to-read spot.
• Ask your friends! Time to consult that theater fan in your life. Chances are, they have an opinion that they’ll be more than willing to share.
• Don’t know a theater person? There are plenty on the internet. Reddit, X, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube — the possibilities are endless. Feeling overwhelmed? Start with Show Score, which aggregates general audience scores to help users find shows they’ll enjoy.

Now, Think About When You Want To Go

One of the easiest ways to find a great Broadway ticket—sometimes at a better price—is simply by being strategic about when you go. Shows don’t cost the same on every day, and availability can change dramatically depending on the season, day of the week and even the time of day.

Some tips:

• Weekdays are your friend. If your schedule allows, Tuesday through Thursday performances typically have more available seats than Friday nights or weekends. The same goes for matinees, which are often less crowded and can be especially appealing for families, first-time visitors or anyone who prefers a daytime show.
• Peak travel seasons mean busier theaters. If you’re planning to see a show during major travel periods—like summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring break—it’s smart to buy tickets in advance. Big titles often sell out weeks ahead, and prices tend to rise during those high-demand windows.
• Local advantage (New Yorkers, take note): If you live in N.Y.C., you have access to some of the best ticket windows of the year. January, February, September and early October are known for being “quieter” months on Broadway. With fewer tourists in the area, there are more options and better chances for discounts, rush tickets or even last-minute seats to big-name shows.

Take Accessibility into Account

If accessibility is part of your theater experience, there’s a fantastic resource that makes planning so much easier.

Before you pick a show, visit Theater Access New York City, a comprehensive site that lists which Broadway theaters offer services like wheelchair-friendly seating, assistive listening devices, open captioning, sensory-friendly performances and ASL interpretation. It’s easy to navigate, regularly updated and designed specifically to help theatergoers find the right show and the right seats for their needs.

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Next, Plan How You Want to Shop

Picked some options? Great — time to think about how you’d like to buy your tickets.

Chances are, you’re going to want to do that online or through an app. But if you live in the Big Apple, there are benefits to going in person. And if you’re visiting from out of town, shopping in-person can cut the stress out of a last-minute decision.

Let’s break each down:

What Going in Person Gets You

Buying your tickets in person can actually be one of the most straightforward ways to get into a Broadway show. It takes the guesswork out by giving you direct access to theater experts who can guide you about pricing, seating and even the best shows to see.

You have two options if you’re willing to put in the (literal) leg-work:

Go straight to the box office: If you’re in New York, walking up to the box office is still one of the best strategies. You’ll pay no extra service fees, get clear, accurate pricing and can ask questions about sight lines, partial view seats, accessibility or availability for specific dates. You might even find seats that aren’t shown online, like house seats released last-minute or partial-view spots that staff can explain honestly.

Visit a TKTS Booth (for same-day discounts): TKTS is the classic same-day discount option. Run by the non-profit Theatre Development Fund (TDF), these booths offer up to 50% off same-day tickets for dozens of shows, including many big musicals and plays. Matinee tickets are often sold the morning of, and evening tickets are typically available in the afternoon.

There are three TKTS booth locations: Times Square (the iconic red steps; usually the widest selection), Lincoln Center and South Street Seaport. Lines at Times Square can get long, but they move surprisingly quickly. If you go to Lincoln Center or South Street Seaport, you’ll often find much shorter waits.

TKTS staff are extremely knowledgeable and can help you compare shows, prices and seat options in real time. It’s almost like having a personal Broadway guide.

Where to Buy Broadway Tickets Online

With so many places seemingly selling tickets, the choice of where to hit that “buy” button can unsurprisingly feel like a tough decision.

The easiest way to avoid stress is to stick with trusted, official ticket sources, which all make it simple to find safe, verified seats at a range of price points. These are the places where you can feel confident that the pricing is accurate, the seats are real and tickets are guaranteed to get you into the theater.

• Head to the production’s official website. Broadway shows will always link directly to their authorized ticket sellers on the sites. A simple Google search or a click-through from their social media account will get you there. It’s one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re buying from the source.
• Try Telecharge or Broadway Direct: These are the two main official ticketing platforms used by Broadway theaters. If you know the show you want to see, start here. You’ll see real-time seat maps, guaranteed pricing and the option to choose your exact seats. You can even mention those codes in-person at the box office, should you choose to head there.

Check for Online Discounts

Before you buy, it’s worth taking a few minutes to look for legitimate discount options. Not every show is going to have them (i.e. don’t expect to save money on the hottest tickets in town). But Broadway tickets don’t always have to come at Broadway prices. If you know where to look, you can often find excellent seats for less.

Some of the best places to start:

• TodayTix: A favorite among theater fans, TodayTix offers discounted tickets sometimes for as low as $20–$40. It’s especially great if you’re flexible and open to discovering a show you didn’t know was available. The app is easy to use, shows real-time availability and lets you search by show, date or price. For Broadway, you can pick your seats (some Off-Broadway shows, you pick a general desired section). Depending on the show, tickets come electronically to your device or can be picked up at the box office. (They also offer same-day rush deals and ticket lotteries for many popular shows — though more on that later).
• Theatr: This is a newer app designed specifically for ticket holders who can’t make it to the show anymore. While other resale sites place huge markups on their tickets, Theatr ensures that every ticket must be sold at the price the original purchaser paid or less. They even hold payment until 30 minutes after the show begins, ensuring refunds if incidents occur. The app is perfect for last-minute deals, though there are often tickets well-in-advance. If you’re really bold, you can even put in an offer that’s lower than the asking price, in case the seller is desperate. Definitely set alerts for this one: great deals often pop up, but they go fast.
• BroadwayBox and TheaterMania: Both websites offer promo codes for certain shows that unlock discounted pricing, better seat selections or occasional “two-for-one” deals. These can be entered into their sites directly, into the official ticketing sites at checkout, or even used in-person at the box office (more on that later, too).

Check If It’s NYC Broadway Week

Don’t be fooled by the name. One of the best ticket deals of the year happens twice a year — once in the winter (January/February) and once in the fall (September) — and typically lasts several weeks, not just one.

Put on by NYC Tourism, NYC Broadway Week offers 2-for-1 tickets to some of Broadway’s biggest shows, making it one of the most affordable ways to see big-title productions. It’s especially popular with locals, families and first-time theatergoers looking to experience Broadway at a more budget-friendly price.

Tickets usually go on sale about a month before the promotion begins, and can be purchased through NYC Tourism or the show’s authorized ticket seller. Seats offered through the promotion are real, full-view tickets — not obstructed, partial view or standing-room deals

Feeling Lucky? Try for a Lottery, Rush or Standing Room Ticket

If you’re open to a little adventure, lottery and rush tickets are some of the most exciting (and affordable) ways to score seats to Broadway shows. These options won’t guarantee you a spot, but when they work out, you can land excellent seats—sometimes even front row.

• Digital lotteries: These are usually free to enter and open one or two days before the performance. Winners are randomly selected and given the chance to purchase heavily discounted seats. It’s not unusual to see lottery prices as low as $35. TodayTix often manages a lot of the show’s official lottories, which makes it easy to enter without leaving your couch.
• Rush tickets: Many shows offer same-day rush tickets either online or at the box office, sold at a steep discount. Some rush programs are open to everyone, while others are specifically for students, teachers, seniors or members of the military.
• Standing room tickets: If a performance is officially sold out, some theaters open standing-room spots—often along the back of the orchestra section. You’ll stand for the length of the show, but the view can be surprisingly good, and the price is usually a fraction of the cost.

The easiest place to check which shows offer which? Playbill.com, which keeps an up-to-date list of digital lotteries, rush programs, and standing room options — and who qualifies for each (like specific lists just for students). It’s the most reliable and clear resource for that information.

Or Join a Program

If you’re someone who loves theater—or even just plans to see more than one show—it can be worth joining a Broadway membership or rewards program. These often offer early access to tickets, exclusive discounts and even points you can redeem for future shows.

Some popular options:

• Audience Rewards: Think of this as Broadway’s answer to a frequent flyer program. Free to join, you earn points every time you buy tickets through participating theaters, and those points can be cashed in for discounted or even free tickets later on. Members also get access to special pre-sales and select discounts.
• Roundabout’s HipTix: If you’re between 18 and 40, the Roundabout Theatre Company offers HipTix, a free membership program that lets you buy $25 or $30 tickets to Roundabout productions—musicals and plays—often in excellent locations. Tickets are released throughout the season, and members get emails when new shows go on sale.
• TKTS: Most people know TKTS for the big red booth in Times Square, but TKTS also has a membership program that lets you access discounted tickets online in advance. You pay a small annual fee and get access to early listings, digital ticket deals and presale alerts—without having to stand in line.

Who Not to Trust

Nervous about getting scammed? The simplest way to protect yourself is to stick with official sources.

• DON’T buy from random resale sites you find through ads or social media. Many post wildly inflated prices or list seats that don’t actually exist. If the site isn’t connected to the show or one of the main Broadway sellers, skip it.
• DON’T click the first Google result without checking the URL. Some unofficial resale sites buy ads to appear at the top of search results. They often look official, but they’re not affiliated with Broadway and may charge several times the face value.
• DO be cautious about paper tickets from third parties. If someone tries to sell you a printed ticket or QR code, especially outside a theater, there’s no way to verify it. Be skeptical.