How to Rush a Broadway Show
The Insider’s Guide to Broadway Rush Tickets
Tickets to Broadway shows can be expensive. For the 2025-26 Broadway season, which just concluded, the average ticket price was $131. That figure might seem low if you’ve shopped for tickets to the hottest shows you just watched perform on the Tony Awards—but the average includes the many discounted tickets that are legitimately available for nearly every production, which pull the number way down.
What Is Rush?
Of the 40 shows currently running on Broadway, 25 offer in-person rush tickets—one of the best-kept secrets on Broadway. A limited number go on sale at the box office when it opens each morning, usually for that day’s performances only. Prices typically run $30–$49, with a limit of two tickets per person.
Seat locations vary by show, so don’t expect a guaranteed great view—but for the price, it’s hard to beat.
When to Go
Some shows get busy early, so plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the box office opens, especially for popular productions. Weather and seasonality both affect line size: rush lines run longer in spring and summer, and shorter in fall and winter. Weekends are busier, especially holiday weekends when kids are out of school.
Sundays are a bit different—box offices open later, at noon—but that also means during busy periods you’ll want to line up two hours early instead of the usual 90 minutes.
One general rule of thumb: plays tend to have shorter rush lines than musicals, unless there’s a major star in the cast.
A Real-World Example: Holiday Weekend Rush
Don’t assume a slow day just because it’s a weekday holiday. We rushed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on MLK weekend and were 2nd in line—and still only got two balcony seats, one on each side of the theater. If you’re rushing a popular show on a holiday weekend, go in with realistic expectations (and get there early).
Track the Lines Before You Go
While rush isn’t for everyone, it’s one of the best ways to see a specific show cheaply. Several online resources break down rush line lengths and arrival times show-by-show, day-by-day—and our favorite is Reddit, where an account that posts daily rush reports is a goldmine. Here’s a sample report from a recent Thursday:
- Oh, Mary: 31 people in line at 9:41am
- Chicago: 10 people at 9:53am
- Rocky Horror Show: 12 people at 7:55am, but only 5 got tickets (this appears to be the hardest rush ticket on Broadway right now)
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball: 8 people at 9am
No reports came in for Proof, Giant, or Chess, and nothing for Just in Time, which has reportedly been a very tough ticket given its limited rush availability.
The Bottom Line
It takes a bit of effort—early mornings, some flexibility, and a willingness to check the line reports the night before—but with rush tickets averaging around $45, it’s one of the best deals on Broadway. Check back here for our show-by-show rush guide so you can plan your morning before you even leave the hotel.
