The greatest thing about living in NYC for me is that you can often enjoy world-class performances at an affordable price. Here are the platforms and tricks I use to consistently find great deals:

🎟️ Broadway

  • Lucky Seat – Lottery for select Broadway and off-Broadway shows: luckyseat.com
  • Broadway Direct – Official lottery for major shows like The Lion King and Wicked: broadwaydirect.com
  • Telecharge – Offers both rush and lottery tickets: telecharge.com
  • TodayTix App – A go-to for mobile lotteries, rush tickets, and same-day deals
  • Hamilton App – Runs a $10 digital lottery. I’ve entered many times — it’s a great deal, but the odds are low, so I don’t rely on it.

Bonus tip: Some theaters offer in-person rush tickets when the box office opens. I haven’t personally tried it, but it’s worth checking if you’re nearby early in the day. Look up each show’s rush policy on its official site.

🎼 Opera

  • Met Opera App – Daily digital lottery with $25 orchestra seats
  • Met Opera 40 Under 40 – Offers $40 tickets and exclusive events for ages 21–40: metopera.org

đź©° Ballet

  • NYCB’s 30 Under 30 – New York City Ballet offers $30 tickets to anyone under 30: nycballet.com

🎭 Theater for Young Audiences

  • Manhattan Theatre Club: 30 Under 35 – $30 tickets and post-show events for those under 35: manhattantheatreclub.com

🧑‍🎓 Student Discounts

Many shows offer special discounts for students, either online or at the box office with a valid student ID. I haven’t had a chance to use these myself, but if you’re a student, definitely check!

⏳ Willing to Wait in Line? Try TKTS

  • TKTS Booths offer same-day tickets at up to 50% off for Broadway and off-Broadway.
  • See what’s available before you go: TKTS Live
  • I tried the Lincoln Center TKTS booth once — it’s quieter than Times Square. That was actually the first time I bought a Broadway ticket as a tourist. I haven’t used TKTS again since, but it’s a solid option if you’re okay with waiting and the shows you want to watch do not have lottery options.

🎫 Other Discount Options

  • TDF Membership – Students, educators, artists, and nonprofit workers can get deep discounts on hundreds of shows: tdf.org

Enjoy the fantasic shows in NYC!