Broadway shows are immensely popular, and attending a show in New York City is a quintessential part of the Broadway experience. With shows frequently selling out and limited theatre seating, getting tickets can be competitive. This leads many theatre-goers to wonder – is the box office the only way to get Broadway tickets?
Buying Broadway Tickets Directly from the Theatre Box Office
Purchasing tickets directly from the box office of the Broadway theatre is certainly one option for securing seats. There are pros and cons to buying this way:
Pros:
- Buying from the theatre box office ensures your tickets are 100% legitimate.
- You can purchase tickets with cash if desired.
- Box office representatives can assist you in finding the best available seats.
Cons:
- Online and phone sales have largely replaced box office ticket purchases.
- Box office hours are limited, usually 10am-6pm.
- Long lines at the box office are common, especially for popular shows.
- You are limited to only buying tickets for that specific theatre.
While the theatre box office guarantees legitimate tickets, the limited hours, potential to wait in long lines, and theatre-exclusive inventory make this an inconvenient option for many patrons.
Purchasing from Official Broadway Ticket Sellers
Luckily, patrons looking to purchase Broadway tickets have other options beyond the theatre box office. There are a number of official ticket sellers that provide a more convenient Broadway ticket buying experience:
- Telecharge – Telecharge.com is the official site for purchasing tickets to many Broadway and off-Broadway shows. They sell tickets online and over the phone for theatre box offices.
- Ticketmaster – The entertainment giant sells legitimate tickets for numerous Broadway shows through Ticketmaster.com and their app. Broadway tickets can be purchased online or by phone.
- The Broadway League – The trade association behind Broadway provides an online Broadway ticket finder to purchase from official ticketing partners at BroadwayLeague.com.
- TodayTix – This app partners with theatres to sell mobile tickets at up to 30% below box office pricing. They offer lotteries and rush tickets too.
- Theatre Development Fund – Also known as TDF, this non-profit offers discounted Broadway tickets for students, seniors, educators, military, unions, and more.
These official sellers provide customer service, convenient delivery options, and diverse Broadway show ticket availability. Patrons can easily browse shows and performance dates online to find desirable seating options.
Securing Broadway Tickets from Licensed Ticket Resellers
In addition to direct theatre sellers, there are many licensed third-party ticket resellers. These provide resale marketplaces to buy and sell both new and previously purchased event tickets. Broadway tickets are commonly resold on these sites.
Some of the most well known licensed Broadway ticket resellers include:
- StubHub – This giant ticket exchange allows users to buy and sell Broadway tickets conveniently online.
- Vivid Seats – On this resale site, Broadway tickets can be sorted by price, date, or seating section.
- SeatGeek – SeatGeek aggregates resale Broadway tickets from multiple sources in one marketplace.
- TicketNetwork – Real-time Broadway ticket inventory from verified resale market sellers.
These licensed resellers offer buyer protections like guarantees on the tickets. However, premium prices above face value are common. Verify all fees and policies before purchasing.
Other Ways to Buy Broadway Tickets
If the major ticket sellers are out of your desired Broadway tickets, don’t give up. There are other creative ways to get seats, though availability varies.
- Broadway Ticket Lotteries – Many shows like Hamilton, Funny Girl, Moulin Rouge, and A Strange Loop offer in-person and digital ticket lotteries for low prices.
- Broadway Rush Tickets – Same day limited quantity discounted tickets are sold on a first come basis before shows.
- Standing Room Only Tickets – Cheaper standing room spots by the theatre entrance are sold on day of show.
- Broadway Ticket Discount Codes – Check Broadway musical websites for special promo codes that allow ticket discounts.
- Audience Rewards – This loyalty program provides members access to exclusive ticket discounts and promotions.
- Student, Senior, Military Discounts – Many Broadway shows offer discounted tickets for certain groups on designated performance dates.
- Group Sales – Buying with a group of 10+ people often unlocks ticket savings and perks.
These options trade convenience for affordability. But flexibility on dates and shows can yield big Broadway ticket savings.
Avoiding Scams and Fake Broadway Tickets
With many ways to purchase Broadway tickets comes the risk of scams. Fake tickets and dishonest sellers are realities in both primary and resale Broadway ticket markets. Use the following tips to avoid problems:
- Only buy from official theatre partners or licensed resellers.
- Avoid unofficial online ads, craigslist, eBay.
- Verify seller ratings and reviews.
- Check for ticket guarantees and policies.
- Use secure payment methods like credit card.
- Confirm receipt of valid tickets before show.
- If deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
As long as patrons exercise caution and only use reputable sellers, getting real Broadway tickets is a safe process with many options.
Best Websites for Broadway Ticket Purchases
For simplicity, these top sites provide the most choice and reliability when buying Broadway tickets online:
Website | Key Features |
---|---|
Telecharge | Official primary market tickets. User friendly site. |
Ticketmaster | Huge primary ticket inventory. Popular shows. |
StubHub | Large trusted Broadway resale marketplace. |
Vivid Seats | Sort Broadway tickets easily. Price ratings. |
TodayTix | Mobile lottery and rush tickets. Discounts. |
Trying more than one seller maximizes your chances for your desired show dates and seat selections.
Conclusion
Broadway theatre box offices are the most direct source of tickets, but far from the only option. Many credible primary market and secondary reseller websites offer convenient Broadway show ticket purchasing online or by phone. Patrons willing to be flexible on shows, dates, and seating can access lottery, rush, standing room, and discount tickets too. While scams exist, buyers using reputable sellers can feel confident securing legitimate Broadway tickets through various channels beyond just the theatre box office.