[Post updated 25/4/25]
Whether you’re a first time theatre-goer or a Musical Theatre tragic, Broadway offers an unforgettable experience that truly captures the essence of the city that never sleeps. Like everything else in New York, there is something for everyone, so at least one Broadway show should be on your itinerary.
While it may seem tempting to book your tickets in advance through ticket agencies or online platforms, there’s something exhilarating about waiting until you’re in New York City to snag those coveted seats. Here’s a few reasons why skipping the ticket agencies and going to the theatre directly is my favourite way to get your Broadway tickets.
Embracing Spontaneity: I’m a big fan of not over-scheduling your itinerary and leaving room for the “magic”. By waiting until you’re actually in New York City, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and spontaneity. You might stumble upon a hidden gem of a show or discover that a production you’ve been dying to see has tickets available at a discounted price. Or you might decide on a show last minute due to the weather or traffic or your energy levels necessitating a change in your plans.
Scoring Last-Minute Deals – at the Theatre. Waiting until the day before or day of the show almost always works in your favour when it comes to snagging discounted tickets. Many Broadway theatres offer “rush” tickets on the day of the performance, giving you an opportunity to see a show without breaking the bank. We always go to the theatre and see what’s available today/tomorrow/next day. I love to chat with the Box Office staff about what tickets are available and what the best options will be since they have all the knowledge about the seats. TIP – use your accent to your advantage! Almost all the box office staff love to help you have a wonderful experience (and a chat) when they know you’ve come from the other side of the world.
Scoring Last-Minute Deals (part 2) – use the Apps to your Advantage. Download the Theatr app for last minute resale tickets. These are completely legit and especially if you only want 1 or 2 tickets you might snag a bargain for a show starting in an hour’s time. People sell their tickets because they are stuck in traffic, sick, caught up at work and can’t get to the show. You can find some deals ahead of time but the best deals are to be had the day of the show. (Note tickets have to be sold at face value or lower so there is no price guaging on this app).
Try for a “Rush” ticket – if you download the Today Tix app you can see what they have on sale as a “Rush” ticket which means a ticket for that night’s show. You have to be quick, they go on sale at 9am so you want to be on the app a few minutes before then and be ready to hit “purchase”
Enter a Broadway lottery. These are really cheap tickets (maximum of 2) and though timing varies slightly usually you enter between 9am and 3pm today, you get an email notification at 3pm to tell you if you’re successful and if you are you have an hour to finalise the purchse which will be for the show the following night. It’s free to enter so if you’re flexible you can hold out to try your luck on getting a bargain. Look at the website of the show itself to search for lottery tickets or download the Broadway Direct app to enter lotteries direct from their site.
Avoiding Service Fees: Let’s be honest, those service fees from ticket agencies can really add up, especially when you’ve got to convert them into Aussie dollars. By waiting until you’re in New York to purchase your Broadway tickets, you can avoid those pesky fees altogether. Think about the savings you’ll have to put towards something else!
(INSIDE NOTE – yes it’s cheeky, but if were not in the area and were considering seeing a show that night we’d use one of the ticketing apps like TodayTix to see check availability and pricing. That gave us a good idea of what we’d be able to get at the theatre itself – minus the $15USD per ticket service fee!)
Experiencing the Theatre District: One of the joys of waiting to buy Broadway tickets in person is the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the theatre district. Don’t just arrive in a cab in the dark and run into the theatre for your show .. stroll through the city streets and see the iconic theatres for yourself – you might even see performers on their way to the theatre or rehearsals.
And while you’re there check out the gorgeous Theatre Circle Gifts on W44th St for all your Broadway memorabilia. (Tell Craig I sent you!)
Do your research before you get here : At time of writing there are 37 shows running on Broadway. Check out sites like PlayBill, Broadway World and Time Out New York before you leave home for the rundown on what’s what, especially if you have a “must see” in mind.
Be Flexible : Keep an open mind. Some of my favourite shows I have ever seen on Broadway I had never heard of prior to taking my seat. And if you can’t get tickets to a specific show don’t despair. There are hundreds more shows including Off-Broadway productions and cabaret performances all throughout the city which are going to be amazing.
Of course, if you have limited time and there is a show you MUST SEE and you don’t want to take your chances, then by all means book a ticket before you arrive. But if you’re feeling adventurous, want a great deal and looking for an unforgettable Broadway experience, consider waiting until you’re in New York City to buy your tickets. Whether you end up scoring rush tickets to a Tony Award-winning musical or discovering a new favourite play, the thrill of spontaneity and the magic of Broadway await you.
