Getting front row tickets for the hit Broadway musical Wicked is a dream for many theatergoers. Being so close to the action on stage and seeing the incredible costumes and sets up close makes for an unforgettable experience. However, scoring those coveted front row seats can be a challenge. Wicked routinely sells out shows months in advance, and the front row is always in high demand. So how can you improve your chances of landing front row tickets to one of Broadway’s most popular shows? Here are some tips and strategies to help get you the best seats in the house.
Buy early
This is the most important tip when trying to get front row tickets for Wicked. The earlier you can buy your tickets, the better your chances will be of getting seats in the first few rows. Ideally you’ll want to plan 6 months to a year ahead of time if possible. This gives you the first crack at seats when a new block of tickets is released to the public. Sign up for email alerts from the show’s website and ticket seller sites so you’ll be notified as soon as new seats go on sale. Jot down the on-sale dates on your calendar so you can hop online and buy as soon as tickets are available. The further in advance you can purchase, the closer you can get.
Premium vs regular tickets
When buying well in advance, you’ll have the option of purchasing premium tickets directly from the theater box office or show website. These premium tickets guarantee front row seats, but come at a steep price – usually $200-300 per ticket. Regular tickets typically go on sale later and will be your more affordable option in the $100-200 range. You won’t be guaranteed a front row seat, but if you pounce and buy immediately on the on-sale date, you should still be able to land seats in the first few rows. Getting as close as possible from the initial ticket sale gives you the best shot at ending up in the front.
Join fan clubs and mailing lists
Many Broadway shows offer exclusive pre-sales and early booking access for fan club members and email newsletter subscribers. Join the official Wicked fan club, called the Wicked Witches of Oz, to get advance notice of ticket sales before the general public. You’ll need to pay a small membership fee, but getting that jumpstart on tickets is often worth it. Also sign up for email newsletters from the main theater box offices in NYC – like The Theater Center and Broadway.com. This will ensure you hear about presales and special offers right away.
Booking Tips
Once you know the on-sale dates for newly released tickets, use these booking tips to secure the best seats:
Use the theater’s website
Always try booking through the show’s official website first. Sites like WickedtheMusical.com will have the largest inventory of seats, since they are coming directly from the theater’s internal ticketing system. That gives you the best chance at nabbing seats before they sell out. Third party sites should be a backup option, since their inventory is more limited.
Be ready at 10am on the dot
Most shows release new seats at 10:00am Eastern time on the specified on-sale date. Be signed in 10 minutes early and be ready to pounce right as the clock strikes 10. Front row tickets go incredibly fast, so you need to be ready right at the moment sales begin. The few seconds delay in entering payment info could be the difference between getting front row or ending up further back.
Have a fast internet connection
Use the fastest, most reliable internet you can when booking. WiFi is best, especially if you have a high speed connection of 25 Mbps or more. Avoid booking through a mobile data connection, which can often be slower. The split second advantage of having a fast internet connection could help you click ‘purchase’ before thousands of others fans.
Use autofill for payment
Make sure to set up autofill for your name, address, and payment info ahead of time. This saves you precious seconds at checkout. Enable autofill in your internet browser and mobile wallet settings. You can also store payment details directly on the theater website if the option is available. Minimizing the time spent entering info is key.
Have backup tickets ready
Even if you do everything right, front row tickets are never a guarantee. Have a backup plan ready with second choice tickets picked out, just in case. Decide the maximum you are willing to pay for other premium front row seats, or determine a second choice seating location you’ll be happy with. That way if the front row sells out instantly, you can seamlessly move on to Plan B.
Ticket Purchase Options
Here are some of the main ways you can purchase tickets for Wicked:
Direct from the theater
Buying tickets directly through the Gershwin Theatre’s website or box office is always the best option. This gives you first dibs on newly released seats and the largest pool of availability. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone.
Website | WickedtheMusical.com |
Phone | (212) 586-6510 |
Broadway Box Office Websites
Several NYC theater box office websites sell tickets to all Broadway shows, including Wicked. These sites are trustworthy, authorized sellers with significant ticket inventories. Good options include:
Telecharge | Telecharge.com |
Broadway.com | Broadway.com |
Ticketmaster | Ticketmaster.com |
Discount Booths
You can purchase discounted same-day Wicked tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square. Selection is limited and front row seats are highly unlikely. But if you are flexible on dates and seating, you may luck into discounted orchestra or mezzanine seats.
Authorized Resellers
There are some reputable ticket resellers that can provide access to premium tickets, sometimes including front row seats. Use caution when purchasing through 3rd parties and be 100% sure the seller is authorized and trustworthy. Two examples are:
Vivid Seats | Vividseats.com |
StubHub | Stubhub.com |
Avoid Scalpers
Never purchase tickets from unauthorized scalpers or sellers outside the theater. There is a huge risk of fraud and being denied entry. Stick with officially authorized sources to ensure you receive valid, guaranteed tickets.
Schedule Options
When scheduling your Wicked experience, timing your trip intelligently can improve access to front row seats:
Matinee & Midweek Shows
Demand is lower for matinee and midweek performances of Wicked. Focus your search on these times if your schedule is flexible:
- Wednesday matinees
- Thursday evenings
- Friday matinees
Aim for 2pm matinees in particular, as weekday daylight shows are less popular than evenings.
Avoid Peak Times
Ticket demand shoots up during busy tourist seasons in NYC. Avoid booking Wicked during:
- Summer weekends
- Holiday weeks in December
- Spring Break season
Trying to score front row seats during hectic times will be much more difficult.
January – February Off-Season
One of the best times to catch Wicked is in the cooler off-season months of January and February. With fewer visitors in town, getting great seats is much easier. Schedule your NYC trip during the winter lull if possible.
Booking Services
For anyone struggling to land front row seats on your own, ticket concierge and broker services are available. Their industry expertise and connections can help source amazing seats for a hefty service fee.
Concierge Services
Concierge ticket booking services cater to high-end travelers. For a fixed service fee, they use their contacts and booking savvy to acquire hard-to-get tickets. Prices are still high, but access to seats is much easier. Popular Broadway concierge services include:
- Broadway Concierge & Tickets
- Broadway Booking Office
- Premium New York Tickets
Ticket Brokers
A ticket broker is essentially a professional scalper with exclusive access to VIP inventory. This comes at a massive premium, with front row Wicked tickets running $800+. Top-rated Broadway brokers include:
- VIP Ticketplace
- ShowTickets.com
- New York Show Tickets Inc.
While costly, they virtually guarantee front row seats.
Join the Lottery
Wicked offers an online lottery for a limited number of $30 orchestra seats sold just before each show. Entering the lottery doesn’t guarantee a front row seat, but it does offer an affordable way to potentially get very close to the stage. Here’s how it works:
- Visit WickedtheMusicalLottery.com starting at 10am 2 days before the performance
- Submit your info and select your preferred performance
- If selected, purchase your $30 tickets right up until 90 minutes before curtain
You can enter every day, but your odds are long with over 300K entries each month. Still, hitting the lottery is the most budget way to experience Wicked from a prime seat.
Conclusion
Scoring coveted front row seats to Wicked the Musical takes some determination and strategic planning. Give yourself the best odds for premium tickets by buying early, taking advantage of presales, targeting less busy times, and using reliable sellers. With persistence and smart timing, you’ll find yourself sitting just inches from the spectacle in no time. Enjoy the splendor and magic up close as the Wicked Witch and Glinda transport you to the land of Oz.