Everything You Need to Know About TKTS Broadway Tickets

TKTS discount booths offer a variety of same-day Broadway and Off Broadway tickets at anywhere from 20% - 50% off. The booths are operated by the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

TKTS booths get their inventory directly from the theaters, on a day-by-day basis. In other words, tickets are dropped off at the booths throughout the day - meaning availability and inventory are constantly subject to change. There’s really no way to predict exactly which shows will be sold at TKTS booths. You can, however, view real time-listings on the display boards at each TKTS booth, on the TKTS website, or via the TKTS app.

Generally, the discount tickets available at TKTS booths are only for shows that are not likely to sell out. So don’t expect to find tickets to new shows or the most popular productions (such as “Hamilton”).

You can regularly catch a matinee show on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Although rare, theaters will sometimes run matinee performances on Thursday. On Wednesday and Saturday, matinee performances usually start at 2pm. Occasionally, shows will begin at 1pm. On Sunday, most shows are at either 2pm or 3pm. *With the exception of the Times Square TKTS booth, matinee tickets are only sold the day before the performance.

Evening shows run from Monday through Sunday. Generally, performances start at 7pm or 8pm.

For evening shows, you can only purchase same-day tickets at all four TKTS booths. With the exception of the Times Square TKTS booth, the other three TKTS booths offer only next-day matinee tickets. You cannot purchase same-day matinee tickets.

There is a limit of 6 tickets per person.

Once you’ve reached a TKTS booth agent, you will not be allowed to select your seats. You will, however, be informed of the seats you will receive before finalizing your purchase. Most often, TKTS booth tickets are for the orchestra. It is possible that you will get seats with an obstructed view.

Sometimes, if a large number of tickets have not sold for a particular show, shortly before curtain, the theater may send a batch of tickets to TKTS. In this case, visiting a TKTS booth shortly before it closes can be an excellent way to score last-minute tickets. But it is completely dependant upon how show sales perform that day.

It all depends on what was sent to the TKTS booths on that particular day. You’ll have to stand in line and ask the booth rep what is available at the time you reach.

Since TKTS does not announce the shows that will be on sale in advance, you can refer to this table that tracks TKTS inventory weekly. The chart separates currently running shows into their corresponding category: often available at TKTS, sometimes available, and very rarely available.

No. All four TKTS booths do not sell rush tickets for any theater shows.

No. All four TKTS booths do not sell lottery tickets for any theater shows.

If premium tickets have not sold 48 hours before the performance, computer software knocks most of them down to the regular top ticket price. Depending on the show and demand for tickets, any leftover seats are sent to TKTS anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours before the performance. If you are willing to take the risk, you can try your luck at TKTS 30-60 minutes before the booth closes.

TKTS booths offer tickets anywhere from 20% - 50% off the full price.

Depending on the ticket availability pattern for the day, tickets to some shows may be available at half prices. However, this isn't a guarantee for all shows and you will have to check it at the TKTS booths. There are however some Broadway shows with online tickets availabe at discount os 50%. Check out the shows with half price Broadway tickets available.

Everyday, each show will decide how many tickets they want to send to TKTS, as well what they’d like the discount to be (50%, 40%, 30%, or 20%). Since different shows have different ticket prices, it’s hard to say exactly what the average show will cost at a TKTS booth. TKTS display boards will show you a live feed of the shows that are being offered on discount.

As mentioned previously, theaters decide how many tickets they want to send to TKTS, as well what they’d like the discount to be (50%, 40%, 30%, or 20%) each day, dependent upon how the show is selling at full price. While TKTS booths do not provide any price information in advance, there are other tools that can be used to help predict potential show discounts and costs. This table contains an exhaustive report of last week's TKTS discount percentage amounts for tickets sold at TKTS booths. This data is then compared to the last week’s corresponding Box Office prices. It acts as a valuable guide for gauging future TKTS ticket booth discounts. (TKTS information reflects the discount percentages that the TDF TKTS booth offered for same-day tickets. It’s the same information that is featured daily on TKTS booth display boards.)

All TKTS booths accept cash, as well as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards. Some Broadway shows require cash only.

All TKTS tickets are subject to a $4.50 service charge per ticket. Additional non-TDF service charges may also apply to some tickets. Once you reach the front of the booth, a TKTS rep will provide you with the details per each show.

You can purchase full-price evening show tickets ONLY at the Times Square TKTS booth.

No, you may not apply any other coupons or discounts. You will have to go to the theatre box offices to use any special discounts, or you can select from various other discount ticket options that often accept coupon codes.

TKTS app features include: a real-time display of what is currently on sale at the TKTS booths, a comprehensive show directory, approximate wait times for each booth, “My List” option to save a list of shows you want to see, access to TDF’s online theatre magazine, and updates on TKTS contests and giveaways. The app is available on iOS and Android.

No, tickets can not be purchased via the TKTS app.

TDF’s mission is in large part to promote conversations about theater. These discussions happen best in person. The interactions that patrons have while waiting in line, or when they speak with customer reps working at the booths all help achieve this goal. For that reason, the organization wishes to keep purchasing offline.

Yes, there are other places where you can get discounted Broadway tickets. Headout, an online platform, offers a large selection of discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway show tickets. You can book via the internet in advance, as well as the last minute. After purchasing your tickets, a Headout rep will meet you at the theater on the day of your show, a half hour before curtain, and hand-deliver your tickets. You will not have to wait in any lines. There are also frequent discounted Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets given out via RUSH tickets and lotteries, directly from the theaters. You can refer to individual theater websites for details. This roundup of 10 Tips to Buy Discounted Broadway Tickets also shares some excellent suggestions.

There are 4 TKTS booths in NYC: Times Square TKTS booth, South Street Seaport TKTS booth, Downtown Brooklyn TKTS booth and Lincoln Center booth.

Times Square

Evening Performances
Mon/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat: 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Sunday: 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Matinee Shows
Wed/Thur/Sat: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 3:00pm

Lincoln Center, Downtown Brooklyn and South Street Seaport

For Matinee Shows & Evening Performances
Mon - Sat: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: Closed

*The booths regularly close for a 30-minute lunch break around 3pm daily.

Because availability and inventory change quickly and frequently throughout the day, there is no set time that will guarantee you find the tickets you want. With that being said, TDF suggests going to a TKTS discount booth early in the day. Arriving 30 minutes to an hour before the booth opens will also help you get a spot in the front of the line.

The Lincoln Center TKTS booth and the Downtown Brooklyn TKTS booth generally have the shortest lines. However, keep in mind that they are also the most inconvenient booths in terms of distance to the theater district. You will need to take into account the time it will take you to travel to the theater, especially during high traffic hours.

Each TKTS booth will have their own inventory on offer. Roughly, you can expect to find the same shows at all the booths, with the exception of one or two. But, keep in mind that, since the booths do not share inventory, more popular booths (especially the Times Square TKTS booth) may run out of tickets to certain shows before the others.

To reach the theatre district from the Downtown Brooklyn TKTS booth, allow for 30 minutes by subway, or an hour by car. It’s about a 20-minute car or bus trip from the Lincoln Center TKTS booth and approximately 35 minutes from the South Street Seaport TKTS booth. Times may vary depending on traffic conditions.

The Times Square location features a ‘Play Express’ window. This particular window ONLY sells tickets to plays - you cannot purchase tickets to musicals or dance productions. This lend tends to move quicker than the others, so if you’re interested in seeing a play, it’s worth purchasing your tickets at the Times Square booth.

Yes, the TKTS booths will operate as per their normal hours (exceptions may be made on a need-by-need basis). The Lincoln Center TKTS booth is the only indoor booth, making it the preferred booth during winter months. Lines tend to get especially long during this time.

There are plenty of great restaurants to eat at near the TKTS booths in NYC. For recommendations near the Times Square TKTS booth, check out this round-up of the 30 Best Restaurants in the Theater District.

The Times Square TKTS booth is located right in the heart of the theater district. However, be aware that some shows - particularly Off-Broadway shows and some music/dance events - can be in more far-flung Manhattan locations. Ask where the venue is before you purchase your tickets in order to ensure you’ll be able to make it on time. If you wait until close to curtain time to visit the booth, you'll need to rush to the theatre to make it, so only consider shows between West 44th and 50th street, with addresses in the 200's and 300s.

As for the other three TKTS booths, you will need to allot for ample transportation time. (Anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour, depending on which booth you're coming from and what that traffic conditions are a the time of travel.)

Since there is a chance that the discount be as little as 20%, TKTS tickets will not always be the cheapest ones out there.

This is a risk you have to be willing to take. Some TKTS tickets are for seats with an obstructed view. Make sure you ask to know what seats you’re buying before completing your purchase, as there is no option to return or exchange tickets.

TDF members pay an annual $34 membership fee for access to specially-priced tickets. To become a member, you will have to first see if you qualify and then fill out an online application. *The inventory available online through TDF membership is not the same as that available at the TKTS Ticket Booths.

The “My List” feature allows you to create a list of shows you want to see and enable notifications that will alert you when tickets are available.

The TKTS Fast Pass allows people who have purchased TKTS tickets to return to the Times Square TKTS booth within seven days of their purchase and walk up to the front of window #1 by presenting their TKTS ticket stub.