TKTS Guide: How the Broadway Discount Booth Works

Short Answer

TKTS is TDF's not-for-profit discount booth for same-day performances and next-day matinees on Broadway and Off-Broadway, with two New York City booths in Times Square and at Lincoln Center. TDF says, "Every day, each show chooses the discount percentage (50%, 40%, 30% or 20%)." Check the TKTS app, or TKTS Live, before you go.

Checked October 2026 against TDF's TKTS Live page and TDF's FAQ.

Where Are the TKTS Booths?

According to TDF's TKTS Live page and FAQ, both booths have the same offerings. The hours below are as of October 2026.

TKTS Times Square

• Broadway at W 47th St, New York NY 10036
• Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

TKTS Lincoln Center

• 61 W 62nd St. New York NY 10023, in the David Rubenstein Atrium
• Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Sunday and Monday: closed

Hours change, so check TKTS Live on TDF's site before you go.

How Buying at TKTS Works

According to TDF's FAQ, you can see what is on sale on the TKTS website or in the TKTS app. The app's list reflects what is on the boards in real time, and its live listing is called TKTS Live. Every ticket sold at the booths is discounted.

When you reach the front of the line, the seller's computer picks the best available seats for the show. The shows themselves decide which seating locations are sold.

In the app, open the Map Screen from the pin at the top right and tap a booth. A bubble shows an approximate wait time.

TKTS accepts cash, TKTS eGift Cards, major credit cards (TKTS Live lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) and Visa or Mastercard debit cards. A few Off-Broadway shows are cash only.

Each person can buy up to six tickets. If you need more, bring another person or ask a Patron Services Representative for help.

Wheelchair seating depends on the show. At the window, the seller calls the show's box office to check whether wheelchair locations are available. In that case you may need to pick up the tickets at the theatre's box office.

TKTS eGift Cards can be bought online at giftcards.tkts.com, and they work like cash at both booths.

TKTS vs the Broadway Lottery vs Rush

TKTS sells tickets for same-day performances and next-day matinees, and you buy them in person at the booth. The Broadway lottery is different. It is a random drawing for discounted tickets to a specific performance, entered online the day or week before the show. Most digital lotteries open the day before the performance and close that afternoon, though the window varies by platform and show (as of October 2026, per Playbill).

Rush tickets are sold in person at the box office, and their terms vary by show.

For entries and pickup, see How to Win the Broadway Lottery (and Get Rush Tickets).

Our suggestion: if you can go to any of several shows that day, TKTS lets you see what is on sale before you choose. If one show is the only one you want, the lottery is a chance rather than a guarantee, so keep TKTS or rush as a backup, and check that show's own page for its lottery and rush terms.

Tips Before You Queue

These are our suggestions, based on how TDF says the booths work.

• Check the app before you leave, and again in line. Shows can release more tickets through the day, right up to curtain time.
• Check the wait-time bubble on the app's Map Screen. TDF says actual wait times fluctuate.
• Have a backup show you would also enjoy.

For what to wear, see Broadway Dress Code: What to Wear and What to Bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers come from TDF's FAQ.

Where is the TKTS booth in Times Square?

The booth is on West 47th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue (TDF's listed address: Broadway at W 47th St, New York NY 10036).

Is there a TKTS at Lincoln Center?

Yes. It is in the David Rubenstein Atrium at 61 West 62nd Street, open Tuesday through Saturday as listed above.

Can you buy TKTS tickets online?

No. "At this time, the only way to purchase tickets at TKTS is to go to either location and wait in line in person."

What discount does TKTS give?

"Every day, each show chooses the discount percentage (50%, 40%, 30% or 20%)."

How many tickets can you buy at TKTS?

Six per person. If you need more, bring another person or ask a Patron Services Representative for help.

Sources

• TDF FAQ, TDF, checked October 2026.
• TKTS Live, TDF, checked October 2026.
• Lottery and rush facts: our lottery guide, and How to Buy Broadway Tickets for rush terms, with the sources listed in each.