Buying Show Tickets Safely
Official sources, discount booths, lotteries and the red flags that mean walk away.
Plan a Show TripBuy Show Tickets the Safe Way
Nothing ruins a show trip faster than discovering at the door that your tickets are fake. The good news is that the safest ways to buy are also simple. Here is how to get real tickets, at fair prices, for Broadway, the West End, Las Vegas and touring shows.
1. The official source
Every show has an official ticketing partner and a box office. On Broadway, the Broadway League’s ticket-buying guide explains how to find them; the box office also sells in person.
2. Official discount programs
TKTS by TDF in New York and the Official London Theatre booth in Leicester Square sell discounted tickets for many shows.3. Established apps
TodayTix sells advance tickets and runs rush and lottery offers for many productions.4. Your travel specialist
When we plan a show trip, we help you buy through official channels and fit the tickets into the itinerary.
Warning Signs of a Ticket Scam
- A website that looks like the theater’s but has a slightly different address.
- Prices far above or far below face value for a sold-out show.
- Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift card or a payment app to a stranger.
- Sellers on the street or in social-media comments.
- No seat location given, or seats that do not exist on the theater’s seating plan.
Pay with a credit card where possible, which can give you more options if something goes wrong, and keep your confirmation emails.
Getting Good Seats for Less
- Be flexible on dates. Midweek performances often have better availability.
- Try discount booths on the day if you do not need a specific show.
- Enter lotteries for shows that run them; it costs nothing to try.
- Consider partial-view or rear seats listed by the official seller, often at lower prices.
- Buy early for the hottest shows; waiting rarely makes them cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy resale theater tickets?
Resale is legal in many places, but it carries more risk: inflated prices, counterfeit or duplicate tickets, and limited help if a show is canceled. Buying from the official source avoids those problems.
How do I know a website is official?
Start from the show’s own website or the theater’s website, and follow its ticket link. For Broadway, the Broadway League’s site links each show to its official ticketing. Be suspicious of sites that appear first in search ads with names that only resemble the show or theater.
What is a ticket lottery?
Many shows release a small number of low-priced tickets through a lottery, usually entered online or in an app such as TodayTix. Winners are drawn shortly before the performance and must buy quickly.
Let Us Plan the Trip Around Your Tickets
Already have tickets, or know what you want to see? A specialist will plan a hotel nearby and the travel around your show.
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