How to Score Broadway Tickets Without Breaking the Bank: Rush and Lottery Explained
- Joel Crump
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
Broadway has a reputation for dazzling performances and equally dazzling ticket prices. While premium seats for blockbuster musicals can soar into the hundreds, there are ways to experience the magic without breaking the bank. Two of the most popular methods are rush tickets and digital lotteries. I have used them for years, and some of my favorite memories came from sitting in the orchestra for just forty dollars. It is simple, affordable, and a great way to see Broadway’s best.
Rush tickets are discounted seats sold the day of the performance, either at the box office or through an app. Prices usually range from $30 to $50. Some shows still require lining up early, while others have moved to platforms like TodayTix. Rush tickets are limited, so timing and speed matter.
Lotteries let fans enter online for a chance to win deeply discounted tickets. Entries open the day before or morning of a show, and winners are notified a few hours before curtain. Lotteries are especially popular for shows with high demand.
These programs make Broadway more accessible. They open doors for students, tourists, and locals who might not otherwise afford (or want to pay) premium seats. For many, getting a rush or lottery ticket is not just about saving money, it is about being part of a tradition that keeps Broadway alive and welcoming.
Below is a list of shows that offer rush and/or lottery (last updated 9/28):
& Juliet - Rush (in person and online)
Aladdin - Lottery (online)
Art - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Buena Vista Social Club - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Chicago - Rush (in person)
Death Becomes Her - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
The Great Gatsby - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Hadestown - Lottery (online)
Hamilton - Lottery (online)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Hell’s Kitchen - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Just In Time - Rush (in person)
The Lion King - Lottery (online)
Mamma Mia! - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Maybe Happy Ending - Lottery (online) and Rush (online and in person)
MJ The Musical - Lottery (online)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical - Lottery (online)
Oh, Mary! - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Operation Mincemeat - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
The Outsiders - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Punch - Rush (online)
Ragtime - Lottery (online)
Six - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Stranger Things: The First Shadow - Lottery (online) and Rush (in person)
Wicked - Lottery (online)
Broadway is about community and storytelling, and programs like rush and lotteries keep that spirit thriving. With a little patience, persistence, and luck, you can land a seat at some of the most exciting shows on Broadway!
