The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show — these quintessential New York City experiences are on countless bucket lists. While even locals yearn to witness the magic of live theater, the steep ticket prices often deter visitors and residents alike. But fear not, aspiring theatergoers! With a little savvy, you can experience the thrill of Broadway without breaking the bank.
The AAA Discounts & Rewards® program has helped millions of members save money on entertainment tickets. Let's dive into the best strategies for scoring cheap Broadway tickets and making your theater dreams a reality.
1. Use Your AAA Membership
AAA Tickets can help you snag cheap tickets to even the most in-demand broadway shows. Your AAA membership unlocks access to discounted tickets. When you’re buying tickets for the whole family, those savings can add up fast.
Plus, Broadway tickets also make fantastic experience gifts, providing unforgettable memories for any occasion.
2. Buy Your Tickets Early
As soon as you book your trip to New York City, start looking for tickets to the show you want to see. The earlier you purchase your tickets, the more likely the box office will have cheaper tickets available. Some shows, like the incredibly popular “Hamilton,” are sold out far in advance, but others don’t sell out until closer to the date, if at all.
3. Enter a Ticket Lottery
If your plans are flexible and you’re willing to risk not seeing your favorite show, consider entering a ticket lottery. Most Broadway shows hold a lottery for significantly cheaper tickets — for example, the “Hamilton” lottery offers 40 tickets for $10 each, compared to $150+ regularly priced tickets.
Reach out to the box office for specific details about the show you want to see. Some box offices offer daily lotteries, while others offer weekly ones.
4. Buy Tickets During Broadway Week
NYC Broadway Week occurs twice a year, and don’t let the name fool you — it actually runs for almost a month. Since 2011, they’ve been offering 2-for-1 deals to celebrate live theater. Not all shows participate in the celebration, so check out the official NYC Broadway Week website for information about when the next Broadway Week is and what shows are participating.
5. Play Broadway Roulette
Feeling lucky? Just want to see a show, any show? Let fate decide what show you’ll see! For a flat fee, select a date and the number of tickets you need. Answer a few questions about the type of show you’d like to see, where you’d like to sit and any shows you don’t want to see. Then, on the day of the show, the company will email you tickets to the show they picked for you.
The best part about Broadway Roulette is that all Broadway box offices participate, so you can even see the latest Tony Award winner with a ticket waitlist.
6. Go with a Group
While you’ll spend more overall, if you go with a large group, you can save 10 to 15 percent per ticket. Most box offices require a minimum of 15-20 people for group rates. You’ll also need to plan for this type of ticket purchase, and if you wait until the last minute, you most likely won’t sit together.
7. Purchase NYC Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
Some NYC tourist attraction discount passes, like the New York Pass, can get you discounted tickets to local attractions, including a Broadway show. Just make sure you do your research first — otherwise, you risk getting a discount pass for a theater that doesn’t have the show you want to see.
8. Check Your Credit Card
If you’re an avid theater-goer, consider getting a credit card that offers ticket deals, like Visa. Oftentimes, these rewards cards provide access to presales and discounted ticket deals, allowing you to secure the best seats and save money on your favorite shows.
9. Go To a Wednesday Matinee
Since the average person works on Wednesday afternoons, the Wednesday matinee is the least attended show of the week. Box offices often sell tickets to the Wednesday matinee for a lower price than typical evenings to get an audience in the seats.
10. Become a Theater Member
Many major Broadway theater companies sell membership packages that give members access to discounts and advance ticket sales. You’ll have to pay a fee upfront, but you’ll be able to purchase discounted tickets. If you want to see multiple shows or purchase many tickets, becoming a member is a great strategy to get cheap Broadway tickets.
To ensure the membership is worth it, total up how much you’ll save on tickets. If that’s more than the membership fee, go for it!
11. Rush the Theater
Rushing the theater is a classic tactic for scoring cheap seats. Even if the show is officially listed as sold out, the box office holds a handful of tickets back to sell on show day, starting at $20.
You’ll want to be in line at the box office before it opens — or well before it opens for popular shows. Some shows have started offering their rush tickets via the mobile app TodayTix if standing in line doesn’t fit into your itinerary for the day.
12. Look for Last-Minute Resales
A few hours before the curtain rises, resale vendors dramatically drop prices. In their minds, a ticket sold is better than a ticket that goes unsold, so they’ll scramble to get someone to purchase them. If you don’t mind waiting until the last minute, this strategy can save you some cash.
The biggest price drops happen about an hour before the show starts, so do your last-minute buying in Times Square so you can sprint to your theater. This strategy works best if you’re looking for cheap Broadway tickets at the last minute.
13. Join TDF
The Theatre Development Fund (TDF) believes everyone deserves the opportunity to see a Broadway show, and they know ticket prices can be prohibitive. For a $40 membership fee, students, teachers, retirees, government officials, freelancers and others can access $11-$57 discounted tickets. Check their website for more information about what groups are eligible to join.
14. Sign Up for an 18-40 Discount Group
The average Broadway audience is 40.6 years old, so several nonprofit theater organizations are trying to get millennials and Generation Z into theaters with discount groups specifically for people ages 18-40. Look for programs like Hiptix from the Roundabout Theatre Company, LincTix from Lincoln Center Theater and Playwrights Horizons for special deals if you fall in the right age bracket.
15. Buy Partial View or Standing Room Only (Sro) Tickets
Center orchestra seats offer the best views but come with the highest price. For a more affordable option, consider partial-view seats. In most cases, these seats are off to the side, and you’ll only lose a small view of the stage that impacts a scene or two. Be careful before you buy these tickets, though — in some theaters, you may be sitting behind a pillar or something else that significantly impacts your view.
If you don’t mind standing for a few hours, purchase standing-room-only (SRO) tickets. SRO tickets are typically the cheapest option and may even land you a seat if there are no-shows. You’ll also have a great view since SRO is directly behind the last row of the orchestra section.
Not all theaters offer partial view or SRO tickets, so call the box office beforehand.
16. Buy from the TDF TKTS Booth
The classic New Yorker strategy for getting cheap tickets is standing in line at one of the TDF TKTS booths. The original booth is in Duffy Square at 47th Street and Broadway (look for the red steps), and the other is at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium.
The booths sell same-day tickets for up to 50 percent off starting at 3 p.m. for evening performances and 11 a.m. for matinees on Wednesdays, Thursdays and weekends. However, they often don’t sell tickets to the bigger Broadway shows, and you’ll have to stand in line for a while, so the earlier you get there, the better.
17. Buy Directly from the Box Office
If you’ve tried to buy a ticket through an online ticket broker, you are likely familiar with the exorbitant fees you can pay per ticket. Instead, go to the box office and purchase the tickets in person. As a bonus, you may get better seats than you would by purchasing online if someone has returned their tickets.
18. Go During the Off-Season
During the summer and the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, tourists flock to Broadway. If you have the luxury of going whenever you want, opt to see your favorite Broadway show during the off-season. Tickets tend to be cheaper when tourist demand is lower.
19. Follow Broadway Shows and Theaters on Social Media
Many theaters and shows use social media to promote their performances and offer special deals like discounts, flash sales and lottery entries. These platforms often host ticket giveaways and provide opportunities to win free tickets or backstage experiences. Social media also allows fans to connect and share excitement for upcoming shows.
Additional Tips to Save on Your Broadway Experience
Saving on your Broadway experience doesn't just stop at the tickets. Whether you're visiting New York City and adding Broadway to your itinerary or a local resident, there are plenty of ways to save while enjoying the magic of live theater.
Pack Your Own Snacks and Drinks
It’s tempting to buy a cold drink and snacks before the show or during intermission, but prices are typically higher than at the store. Some venues allow audience members to bring their own sealed refreshments, so check with your theater beforehand.
Planning to eat a meal before the show? If you live locally, cooking a home-cooked meal can save you money. Consider buying ingredients from Vital Choice for a fresh and satisfying pre-theater dinner. If you're visiting, check out Landry’s Restaurants, like the Hard Rock Cafe, and use your AAA membership to save on your meal.
Save on Transportation Options
Transportation can also be a hidden cost when visiting the city. Taxi fares can quickly add up, so consider taking public transportation like the New York subway. If you're driving in from another location, you can rent a car from a company like Hertz and get a discounted rate with your AAA membership.
Take Advantage of Free Attractions
If you're visiting the city, there are plenty of fun and free activities to enjoy during your NYC trip. Splurge a little on the Broadway experience and save money on other iconic NYC attractions like free museums. You can also cut vacation costs by finding cheap hotels or exploring budget-friendly dining options.
Join AAA to Get Discounted Entertainment Tickets Today
Tickets to attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios or sporting events or entertainment shows don’t have to blow your budget. Become a AAA member today to access exclusive discounts on everything from concerts to the movies.