Broadway Week is an annual event in New York City where Broadway shows offer 2-for-1 tickets for a limited time. During Broadway Week, ticket buyers can get two tickets for the price of one to some of the most popular Broadway shows. Broadway Week aims to increase ticket sales during a historically slow season in January and February. But is the 2-for-1 ticket deal really a bargain?
What is Broadway Week?
Broadway Week is a 2-for-1 ticket promotion sponsored by NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization. The event started in 2011 as “NYC Broadway Week” but was rebranded simply as “Broadway Week” in 2021.
Broadway Week occurs for a two week period every January and February. During the 2023 Broadway Week, the dates are January 17 – February 12. Over 30 Broadway shows typically participate each year.
During Broadway Week, ticket buyers can get 2-for-1 tickets to participating Broadway shows. This allows theatergoers to bring a friend for free. The promotion applies to all ticket prices, including premium seats. You must purchase tickets through official Broadway Week channels to get the deal.
What shows participate in Broadway Week?
Dozens of popular Broadway shows offer discounted tickets during Broadway Week. The 2023 lineup has not been announced yet, but here are some of the shows that have participated in recent years:
- Aladdin
- Beetlejuice
- The Book of Mormon
- Chicago
- Come From Away
- Dear Evan Hansen
- Frozen
- Hadestown
- Hamilton
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- The Lion King
- Mean Girls
- Moulin Rouge!
- The Phantom of the Opera
- Six
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Wicked
The specific lineup changes each year as shows open and close. However, Broadway Week tends to feature the longest running hits and most popular recent Tony Award winners.
How does the Broadway Week 2-for-1 deal work?
During Broadway Week, customers can purchase 2-for-1 tickets to participating Broadway shows. Here are some key details on how it works:
- Tickets must be purchased through broadwayweek.com or Ticketmaster using an official Broadway Week promotional code.
- There is a maximum of 2 tickets allowed per purchase.
- The 2-for-1 deal applies to all ticket prices, including premium seats. If you buy a $200 premium seat, your second ticket is free.
- Tickets are subject to availability. Shows often sell out of Broadway Week tickets quickly.
- Broadway Week tickets cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.
- Exchanges are allowed up to 72 hours before the performance. Refunds are not allowed.
- Tickets for resellers or resale are strictly prohibited.
What are the pros of buying Broadway tickets during Broadway Week?
There are several benefits to buying Broadway tickets during the 2-for-1 Broadway Week promotion:
- Save 50% on Broadway tickets – This is the biggest pro. You buy one ticket and get the second ticket for free, essentially paying 50% off.
- Experience top Broadway shows – Broadway Week provides access to big hits and Tony winners that normally demand a premium price.
- Flexible schedule – Broadway Week runs for 2 weeks, giving flexible scheduling options.
- Good seats available – The deal isn’t restricted to just partial view seats. You can get discounted tickets even in prime orchestra locations.
- Bring a friend for free – The free extra ticket allows you to share the experience with someone else.
- January is a slow month – January is a relatively slow tourism month in NYC, so shows are eager to boost attendance.
In summary, the top benefits are saving 50% on tickets to top Broadway shows during an otherwise slow season.
What are the cons of buying Broadway tickets during Broadway Week?
While Broadway Week provides a great ticket deal, there are some downsides to keep in mind as well:
- Limited show selection – While nearly 30 shows might participate, that’s still less than half of all Broadway shows. Hits like The Music Man and Into the Woods did not offer the Broadway Week deal in 2022.
- High demand – Broadway Week tickets are limited. Popular shows often sell out quickly.
- Restricted dates – You can only get the deal during the 2 week Broadway Week timeframe in January/February.
- No exchanges/refunds – Broadway Week tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, limiting flexibility.
- Not all seats – Some shows may restrict the discount just to rear mezzanine or partial view seats.
- Winter weather risk – January/February brings the risk of snowstorms disrupting travel plans to NYC.
In summary, the downsides mainly relate to limited availability for in-demand shows. The winter timing is also not ideal for those who prefer visiting NYC during warmer months.
When and how to buy Broadway Week tickets
To maximize your chances of getting Broadway Week tickets, here are some tips on when and how to purchase:
- Mark your calendar – Broadway Week tickets go on sale to the general public in early January. Sign up for email alerts so you don’t miss the on-sale announcement.
- Buy early – As soon as tickets go on sale, log on and make your purchase. The most popular shows sell out very quickly.
- Be flexible – Have back-up shows in mind in case your first choice sells out. Consider scheduling a matinee or weekday performance if weekends disappear fast.
- Use the website – Purchase directly through the official Broadway Week website for the easiest experience. Avoid third party resellers.
- Check back for cancellations – If a show is sold out, keep checking as additional tickets may be released later due to cancellations.
- Avoid resale sites – Resale of Broadway Week tickets is strictly prohibited. Purchased resale tickets may be canceled.
Advance planning and acting quickly are key to locking in tickets to your preferred Broadway Week shows before they sell out.
How does Broadway Week pricing compare?
To understand if Broadway Week represents a good deal, it helps to compare Broadway Week prices to regular full price tickets. Here is a comparison table for a few popular shows:
Show | Regular Price Range | Broadway Week Price |
---|---|---|
Hamilton | $249 – $699 | $149 – $399 |
Wicked | $99 – $259 | $59 – $149 |
The Lion King | $115 – $280 | $69 – $170 |
Aladdin | $117 – $233 | $69 – $139 |
As you can see, the Broadway Week price is roughly 50% off the regular full price cost. Exact savings amounts will vary depending on the specific show and seat location you select.
Are there hidden fees when buying Broadway Week tickets?
Broadway Week tickets purchased directly through official channels do not have any hidden fees. The price you see on broadwayweek.com is the final price without any surprise add-ons.
However, if you purchase through a secondary reseller site, there may be substantial hidden fees added at checkout or delivery. This is why it’s highly recommended to only buy direct from the official Broadway Week website.
When buying Broadway Week tickets, the base ticket price is all you will pay. The only additional cost is if you choose to have tickets shipped to you, in which case standard shipping fees apply.
Can you get discounted Broadway tickets year round?
While Broadway Week itself is limited to January and February, there are other ways to get discounted Broadway tickets year-round:
- Broadway Box Office – Same day discount tickets can be purchased at the show’s box office starting at 10am.
- Broadway Roulette – This service offers random discounted tickets to shows for $49 or $99.
- Lottery and rush tickets – Enter a drawing for $10-$40 tickets at certain shows like Hamilton, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge.
- TKTS Discount Booths – Booths in Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn offer 20%-50% off tickets.
- TodayTix – This app sells $40-$100 rush tickets for shows each day.
- Goldstar – Select shows offer discounted tickets via this secondary marketplace.
While these options don’t guarantee availability like Broadway Week, they provide additional ways to score discounted tickets throughout the year.
Should you buy Broadway Week tickets for gifts?
Broadway Week can be a great opportunity to purchase Broadway tickets as gifts for friends, family, and clients. The 2-for-1 discount allows you to gift a memorable live theater experience at an affordable price point.
Some tips if giving Broadway Week tickets as a gift:
- Make sure the show and date will work for the gift recipient’s schedule before purchasing.
- Print out the tickets and put them in a card, or arrange for digital delivery directly to the recipient.
- For long distance gifts, choose “mail/print at home” delivery to send tickets rather than will call pickup.
- Include a note about needing to bring a photo ID to redeem will call tickets.
- Pick a long running, crowd-pleasing show that most people will enjoy.
With a bit of coordination and planning, Broadway Week tickets make exciting and appreciated gifts for theater fans.
Conclusion
In most cases, Broadway Week represents a very good deal on Broadway tickets. The ability to see a top Broadway show for 50% off is significant savings. However, you need to act fast to purchase during the limited 2 week window before popular shows sell out.
The downsides of Broadway Week include having fewer show options compared to the full Broadway season. Dates are also restricted to January/February, which can be the coldest time of year to visit NYC.
Overall, if you are able to schedule a trip for late January or February and purchase tickets early when they first go on sale, Broadway Week is a smart opportunity to see Broadway on a budget.