Broadway Lottery Tickets
While New York City is known for a lot of things, there is one that stands out from the others - Broadway. Home of the American theatre industry, Broadway is believed to have some of the world's best productions (which subsequently compete at the Tony Awards). While watching a Broadway show is a dream come true for many, the steep ticket prices often force you to skip the experience all together. Well, you don't have to do that anymore because - Broadway Lottery Tickets
Winning a Broadway Lottery Ticket and watching the show adds onto the excitement and works light on your pocket as well! Here's our detailed guide on Broadway Lottery Tickets, how you can win them, the shows they are applicable for etc. Read on, and you never know ; you might just get lucky!
What is Broadway Lottery?
While there are multiple ways to get discounted Broadway tickets, one popular and exciting way is to particiapte in the lottery for Broadway tickets.
A Broadway lottery is a random drawing among a pool of entrants that results in tickets being awarded to some entrants at random. These tickets aren't free, however, but they are deeply discounted from the normal Broadway prices. Seats may vary and you often will not know your seats until you arrive at the theatre to pick up your tickets before the performance.
Today, at a cost of $25 - $40 you can bag front row orchestra tickets to some of the top shows on Broadway. A true steal deal we say!
Prior to the pandemic, some shows offered in-person lotteries, including Wicked and Hamilton. Now, however, Broadway lotteries are entered online-only, and you are notified by email if you win. One thing to note about the lottery system is that these are all "subject to availability", meaning you never know just how many tickets will be offered, or where the seats will be, on any given day. But that's part of the fun of a lottery, right? It's all about luck!
How Broadway Lottery Works
Each show may have different rules as to when, where, and how to enter its lottery. For some shows, you can enter for any performance within the next week, but for some you can only enter for one at a time. The basic process for entering is the same, though! To enter, simply go to the website where the lottery is hosted for the show you're interested in, choose the performance(s) you'd like to enter for, type in your information, and you're all set! Most shows allow you to enter for either one or two tickets, so you have the chance to win whether you're with a buddy or riding solo!
Then, you wait! Most shows will notify you the day before the performance to let you know if you've won. If you were one of the lucky people chosen, you'll typically have an hour or two to claim and pay for your tickets. Then, you show up at the box office on the performance day, get your tickets, and enjoy!
Types Of Broadway Lottery Tickets
1. In Person Broadway Ticket Lottery - Tickets Usually Around $30-$32
The in-person Broadway lottery is used by less shows every year, but a few shows still offer this service. The times listed on the schedule are the exact times that the in-person ticket lottery drawings are drawn. The box office begins taking names for the lottery 30 minutes prior to the drawing time listed on the schedule, but technically you don't need to arrive more than a few minutes before the drawing takes place - just enough time to fill out a piece of paper with your name and the number of tickets you need (you are allowed 1 or 2). A greater chance of success in the ticket lotteries can be garnered by coming when fewer people are there to enter it - lotteries tend to be a bit quieter on midweek days, in the winter, or in bad weather. If two Broadway shows have the same posted lottery drawing time, then groups should split up as each person is usually allowed to buy 2 tickets if they win the lottery tickets.
2. Online Broadway Ticket Lottery - Tickets Usually Around $10-$40
The online Broadway lottery is the new-kid-on-the-block that has been adopted by most shows due to its low-cost of operation and the amount of lottery entrants that each show gets - valuable data for them to pitch other offers to in future. The times on the above schedule are the exact times that the online ticket lottery drawings start. Winners will be notified via email shortly after lottery ends. Winners will have a 60 minute window to claim and pay for their tickets online with a credit card. A person can request a maximum of one or two tickets.
3. Mobile Broadway Ticket Lottery - Tickets Usually Around $30-$35
The mobile Broadway show ticket lottery has been adopted to try to get more millennials to go to Broadway shows. The service can only be used by mobile phone users that must install a lottery app on their phone to get access. Broadway shows then take the users phone data and will pitch them more Broadway show offers. The mobile lottery solution is also very convenient for tourists who are visiting the city, but seems to make the process too easy, which can reduce revenue for the show at the box office.
Winning the lottery doesn't mean free Broadway tickets, but you do get to buy them at heavily discounted rate, usually around $25. On a few occasions, Broadway shows have held their ticket lotteries at local stores (such as McDonald's and the M&Ms Store), but in general, the Broadway lotteries are usually held at the show's box office, at the theatre, online at the official website and on mobile phones.
Get Your Broadway Lottery Tickets
There are 3 ways to go about getting your lucky Broadway Lottery Tickets:
TYPE 1. A DAY BEFORE THE SHOW
Enter the day before and find out early morning, day of the show if you won.
TYPE 2. WEEKLY LOTTERY TICKETS
Enter at the start of each week for each day of the week and know if you won the day before your selected show dates.
TYPE 3. SAME DAY LOTTERY TICKETS
Enter on the day of the show and come to know if won a few hours before the show.
Below are the shows that fall under each category. Enroll for lottery tickets of the Broadway show you'd like to watch and fingers crossed, we hope you win!
Broadway Shows That Offer Lottery Tickets
TYPE 1. A DAY BEFORE THE SHOW LOTTERY TICKETS
Enter the day before and find out early morning, day of the show if you won.
Aladdin
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $30
When: Entries are accepted starting at 7 PM the day prior to the desired performance. The lottery closes at 8:30 AM on the day of the performance.
Where: AladdinTheMusical.com/lottery
Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners have 60 minutes to claim and purchase tickets. Tickets must be retrieved at the box office starting 30 minutes before curtain time.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification.
Derren Brown: Secret
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $40
When: Available performances will be posted on the site as early as 6 PM EDT the day prior to the performance and will close off at 10 AM (for matinee shows) and 3 PM (for evening shows). Lottery winners will be notified via text message or email and will purchase their tickets from the same website.
Where: DerrenBrownSecret.com/lottery/
Payment Method: Credit card
ID: Photo ID or credit card used for purchase
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Subject to availability. Patrons must be 18 years or above to enter.
Freestyle Love Supreme
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $35
When: Each lottery will open at 12:01 AM Eastern Time the day before the performance. The first lottery draw will take place at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on the day prior. Winners will have 6 hours to return to the website and purchase up to 2 tickets. The lottery will remain open for additional entries until 3:00 PM Eastern Time, aduring which a second draw will be held.
Where: FreestyleLoveSupreme.com/lottery
Payment Method: Credit card
ID: Photo ID or credit card used for purchase
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Subject to availability. Patrons must be 18 years or above to enter.
Hadestown
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $42.5
When: Lottery entries accepted until 11 AM on the day prior to the performance. Winners will be drawn at 12 PM the day before the actual performance.
Where: Lucky Seat
Payment Method: Credit card online
ID: Photo ID
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Selected fans will be notified daily via email or SMS message. The lottery will then continue on a rolling basis for every performance of Hadestown. The digital lottery is limited to one entry per person and tickets must be purchased online with a credit card by 4 PM ET the day before the performance. Tickets may be picked up at the Walter Kerr Theatre Box Office starting two hours prior to the performance by presenting a valid photo ID. The name on your account must match the name on your photo ID.
Hamilton
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $10
When: For matinée performances, entry is between 8 AM and 10 AM. For evening shows, between 11 AM and 1 PM. On days with only an evening performance scheduled, entry is between 8 AM and 1 PM. Winners will be notified via email shortly after the lottery closes with a link to purchase the tickets.
Where: Lucky Seat
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners will have 60-minutes to claim and purchase their tickets online.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Participants may enter once a day for the desired performance. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification. Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Winners must pick up their tickets at the Richard Rodgers Theatre box office with a valid photo ID that matches the name. Seats will be located in the Front Row of the Orchestra section.
Jagged Little Pill
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Price: $40
When: Lottery opens at 12 AM the day of the performance. Matinee draws will happen at 9 AM and 10 AM, and evening performance draws happen at 2 PM and 3 PM
Where: jaggedlottery.com/
Payment Method: Credit card.
ID: Credit card used for purchase
Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person
Seating Location: Determined at the discretion of box office. Could be partial view.
Moulin Rouge
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $29
When: Lottery entries will be accepted until 11 AM on the day prior to the performance. Winners will be drawn at 12 PM the day before the actual performance. They can purchase the tickets any time before 4 PM.
Where: Lucky Seat
Payment Method: Credit card
ID: Government issued ID
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Wins cannot be transferred to other performances or persons. The name on the account must match the name on your photo ID.
Slave Play
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $29
When: Available performances will be posted on the website as early as 12 AM ET the day before the performance. The first lottery drawing will take place at 9 AM ET on the day prior. Winners will have 6 hours to return to the website and purchase up to 2 tickets. The lottery will remain open for additional entries until 3 PM ET, at which time a second drawing will be held. Again, winners will have 6 hours to purchase up to 2 tickets.
Where: SlavePlayBroadway.com/Lottery/
Payment Method: Credit card used for purchase
ID: Credit card used for purchase
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Winners get 6 hours to pay for tickets via credit card. Drawings will be held at 9 AM and 3 PM the day prior to the performance.
The Lightning Thief
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Price: $42
When: Lottery opens at 12 AM on the day of the performance. Matinee lotteries shall close at 10 AM and evening lotteries shall close at 3 PM.
Where: lightningthiefmusical.com/lottery/
Payment Method: Credit card.
ID: Credit card used for purchase
Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person
Seating Location: Determined at the discretion of box office. Could be partial view.
The Lion King
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $30
When: Entries are accepted once the prior day’s performance begins, and continue up until 9 AM on the day of the performance.
Where: Broadway Direct
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners have 60 minutes to claim and purchase tickets. Tickets must be retrieved at the box office starting 30 minutes before curtain time.
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $45
When: The digital lottery will open at 9 AM the day of the performance (for evening shows), and 8 PM the day prior to the performance (for matinee shows). Matinee lotteries will close at 9 AM the day of the performance, and evening lotteries will close at 1 PM the day of the performance.
Where: Broadway Direct
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card online
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Seat Locations: Determined at the discretion of box office. Could be partial view.
Special Policies: Winners will be alerted via email shortly after each drawing and have 60 minutes to claim and purchase online. Tickets can be picked up 30 minutes before showtime.
Tootsie
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $42
When: Lottery will be open at 7 PM the day prior to the performance. Matinee lotteries will close at 9 AM and evening lotteries will close at 2 PM on the day of the performance.
Where: Broadway Direct
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card online
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Seat Locations: Determined at the discretion of box office. Could be partial view.
Special Policies: Winners will be notified via email, and have 60 minutes to pay for tickets via credit card. Tickets are non-transferable and can be picked up 30 minutes prior to performance.
Wicked
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Price: $35
When: Entries are accepted the day prior to the performance you’re trying to get tickets to - between 8 AM and 2 PM the day of the show.
Where: Broadway Direct
Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners have 60 minutes to claim and purchase tickets. Tickets must be retrieved at the Gershwin Theatre box office starting 30 minutes before curtain time.
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification.
Lottery Type: In-person lottery for 26 select orchestra seats.
Lottery Price: $30
How: Participants can enter the lottery at the Gershwin Theatre box office. The names of all those entering to win lottery tickets will be placed in a hat and picked at random.
When: Two and half hours prior to show time.
Where: Gershwin Theatre Box Office
Lottery Payment Method: Cash only.
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Participants may enter their name one time per performance; anyone discovered to have multiple entries will be disqualified and their tickets will be revoked.
TYPE 2. WEEKLY BROADWAY LOTTERY TICKETS
Enter at the start of each week for each day of the week and know if you won the day before your selected show dates.
Frozen
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $30
Where: Lottery can be enetered here
When: Entries are accepted until 11 AM of the day before the desired performance. Winners will be notified at noon, and will have until 10 PM to purchase tickets.
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card
ID: Valid photo ID
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person. Availability depends on the discretion of the box office.
Special Policies: Must be 18 years or older to enter.
Mean Girls
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $42.50
Where: Lottery can be enetered here
When: Entries are accepted starting midnight the day prior to the desired performance. The lottery closes at 11 AM. Winners and non-winners are notified by noon.
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card
ID: Valid photo ID
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person. Availability depends on the discretion of the box office.
Special Policies: Winners must purchase their tickets by 10 PM the day before the performance.
The Book of Mormon
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $50
How: Online form
When: The lottery closes at 11 AM the day prior to the performance.
Where: Lucky Seat
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card. Tickets must be purchased online with a credit card by 10 PM EDT the day prior to the performance.
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Type: In-person Lottery
Price: $32
When: Two and a half hours before each performance. Names will be drawn from a hat at random.
Where: Outside the main entrance of the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.
Lottery Payment Method: Cash or credit card.
ID: Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Duplicate entries will result in disqualification.
SAME DAY BROADWAY LOTTERY TICKETS
Enter on the day of the show and come to know if won a few hours before the show.
Ain't Too Proud
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $42
When: Lottery opens at 12 AM on the day of the respective performance. Entries must be made before 9 AM for matinee performances and 2 PM for evening performances.
Where: ainttooproudlottery.com/
Payment Method: Credit card
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Subject to availability.
Beetlejuice
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $33.33
When: Lottery opens at 5 PM, entrants handpicked to compete in "It's Game Showtime" at 5:30 PM.
Where: Winter Garden Theatre box office
Lottery Payment Method: Cash/Credit card.
ID: Valid photo ID
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person. Availability depends on the discretion of the box office
Betrayal
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $40
When: Available performances will be posted on the site as early as 12 AM ET the day of the performance. Matinee lotteries close at 10:00 AM and evening lotteries close at 3:00 PM. Additional draws may be added from time to time and the timing of these drawings are subject to change.
Where: BetrayalonBroadway.com/lottery
Payment Method: Credit card online.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Winners will be notified via text and/or email shortly after the draw and get one hour to purchase their tickets.
Dear Evan Hansen
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $40
When: The lottery opens at 12 AM on the day of the performance. It closes at 10am for matinees, and 3 PM for evening shows. Winners will be notified via email or text by 10:05 AM (for matinees) and 3:05 PM for evening shows.
Where: Dear Evan Hansen Lottery
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners must purchase their tickets by 11:05 AM for matinees and 4:05 PM for evening shows.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Special Policies: Participants may enter once a day for the desired performance. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification. Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Seats will be assigned at random, based on availability. This means you could potentially end up with partial view seats.
Oklahoma!
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $40
When: Lottery opens at 12 noon on the day of your desired performance. For matinee performances, the entries close at 9 AM on the day of performance and for evening performances, it closes at 2 PM.
Where: OklahomaBroadwaylottery.com/
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person. Availability depends on the discretion of the box office.
Special Policies: Subject to daily availability, winners will purchase their tickets online and pick up their tickets at the Circle in the Square Theatre box office.
The Lightning Thief
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Price: $42
When: Lottery opens at 12 AM on the day of the performance. Matinee lotteries shall close at 10 AM and evening lotteries shall close at 3 PM.
Where: lightningthiefmusical.com/lottery/
Payment Method: Credit card.
ID: Credit card used for purchase
Tickets Per Person: Limited to 2 per person
Seating Location: Determined at the discretion of box office. Could be partial view.
The Phantom of the Opera
Broadway Lottery Type: Digital Lottery
Lottery Price: $28
When: Entries are accepted starting at 9 AM the day of the desired performance. The lottery closes at 10 AM the day of performance for matinees, and 3 PM the day of performance for evenings.
Where: phantombroadwaylottery.com
Lottery Payment Method: Credit card. Selected winners have 60 minutes to claim and purchase tickets. Tickets must be retrieved at the box office starting 30 minutes before curtain time.
ID: A valid photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
Lottery Tickets Per Person: Limit of 2
Seat Locations: Seats will be in the Front Orchestra section, but may not be located next to one another and can be partial view. They are solely determined at the discretion of the box office.
Special Policies: Lottery tickets cannot be transferred to other people, or to other shows. Multiple entries for a single performance by a single guest will result in disqualification.
Improve your Chances of Winning Broadway Lottery Tickets!
- If someone plans to see a show with another friend, the best way to maximize the odds of winning is to both enter the lottery for two tickets. This gives them two entries into the lottery, doubling the chances of winning. They should not enter the lottery as two people requesting single tickets. While the odds for winning a single ticket are better than winning two tickets, the chances of both people winning the lottery is much lower.
- If someone plans to see a show alone, the best way to win is to enter the lottery for only one ticket. While lottery entries are not drawn based on how many tickets are requested (one or two), the chances are still better if you enter for one ticket only. For example, the Hamilton lottery has a set amount of 46 tickets for each show, if a lottery winner requesting one ticket is pulled, the total amount of tickets left becomes 45.
- This guarantees that another person requesting a single ticket must win, since the amount of tickets left is now odd. Additionally, when the lottery is trying to find another single ticket winner, the pool of potential winners is much smaller, since most people request two tickets, giving single ticket entrants a much higher chance of winning.
Lastly, if you don't win, applaud for the others. Maybe karma might work in your favour, if not for luck!
Geared Up For Broadway Lottery?
Here's our round up of the best ongoing Broadway shows. You can also check out the best musicals on Broadway, the best Broadway plays at the moment. If you're going for a Broadway show with the family, here are the best Broadway show for kids.
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