Is it okay to buy Broadway tickets from Ticketmaster?

Buying Broadway tickets can be a confusing and stressful process. With high demand shows selling out quickly, securing seats often requires planning ahead and being flexible. Many buyers turn to Ticketmaster as a convenient option for purchasing Broadway tickets online. However, some consumers question whether Ticketmaster is the best source for Broadway tickets.

The Benefits of Buying Broadway Tickets from Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster offers some advantages for purchasing Broadway tickets:

• Convenience – Ticketmaster provides a one-stop shop to browse and purchase tickets for most Broadway shows online. This saves the effort of having to visit multiple official box office sites.
• Selection – As an authorized seller, Ticketmaster provides access to tickets for top Broadway shows. Popular high-demand productions are available.
• Purchase Protection – Ticketmaster tickets come with a purchase guarantee so buyers can get refunds if issues arise.
• Established Company – Founded in 1976, Ticketmaster is a large and reputable company in the event ticketing industry.

The convenience and selection Ticketmaster offers makes it an understandable choice for many Broadway ticket buyers who want a simple process for securing seats to top shows.

Potential Downsides of Purchasing from Ticketmaster

Despite the benefits, some downsides exist to buying Broadway tickets on Ticketmaster:

• Higher Prices – Ticketmaster adds fees to ticket costs, so prices are generally higher compared to buying directly from the Broadway box office.
• Limited Inventory – As a third-party seller, Ticketmaster may have less ticket availability than the theater box office.
• Fewer Discount Options – Discount codes are harder to find for Ticketmaster. The box office more commonly offers ways to save on tickets.
• Varying Ticket Locations – You often can’t pick exact seat locations on Ticketmaster the way you can when buying from the theater.

The additional fees and charges, and the lack of discounts and control over seating can make buying from Ticketmaster less ideal financially compared to other ticket sources.

Are There Cheaper Ways to Buy Broadway Tickets?

Purchasing Broadway tickets directly from the theater box office or official theater website typically offers the lowest prices. Here are some ways to pay less for Broadway tickets beyond Ticketmaster:

• Buy from the Broadway Box Office – The best seats and prices usually come straight from the theater’s box office or website. Sign up for fan clubs and email lists to get special discount codes.
• Use Discount Sites – Look for deals on sites like TodayTix that offer savings on certain seats for select performances.
• Try Lotteries and Rush Tickets – Enter in-person lotteries day-of-show or wait in rush lines for heavily discounted same-day seats.
• Purchase Group Tickets – Groups of 12+ often qualify for discounted ticket rates. Gather friends to buy in bulk.
• Score Student and Military Deals – Take advantage of special discounts for students and military members by showing student/military ID when purchasing tickets.

Flexibility in performance dates and times along with some extra effort can lead to significant savings on Broadway tickets. Sale prices sometimes put select tickets below Ticketmaster’s costs.

Are There Risks Buying from Unofficial Resellers?

Besides directly from the theater and Ticketmaster, Broadway tickets can also be purchased through unofficial third-party resellers and brokers. However, there are risks involved with these options:

• Potential Scams – Some resellers may sell fake or invalid tickets, leaving buyers unable to get into the show.
• No Purchase Protection – Unofficial resellers do not guarantee tickets like Ticketmaster, so you may lose money on unused or invalid tickets.
• Higher Markups – Resellers often markup Broadway tickets above face value more than Ticketmaster fees.
• Fewer Consumer Protections – You have less recourse for problems versus going through an official company like Ticketmaster.

While sometimes you can find good deals, there are risks of counterfeit tickets and other issues. Reputable resellers like StubHub still charge higher fees than other options. Caution is warranted when purchasing Broadway tickets from unofficial sources.

Is Buying from Ticketmaster Worth the Fees?

Whether using Ticketmaster is worth the additional fees depends on personal factors:

• If convenience is your top priority, the fees may be worthwhile for the ease of purchasing online through a familiar company.
• For popular high-demand shows that sell out quickly, Ticketmaster may provide the best way to ensure you secure tickets.
• If you want to sit in premium orchestra sections, paying more for ideal seats may not be an issue.
• If you need accessible seating, Ticketmaster provides a way to filter for and request accessible tickets.

However, for many buyers, the extra charges don’t provide good value:

• If you are flexible on performance dates, buying directly from the box office when discounts are offered can result in significant savings versus Ticketmaster.
• If you are fine sitting in rear mezzanine sections or far side orchestra areas, you can often find more affordable tickets directly through the theater.
• If you are bringing a large group, group discounts directly from the box office often beat Ticketmaster’s prices.

Ticketmaster fees largely go towards convenience versus better ticket quality. If saving money is your main goal, buying Broadway tickets directly from the theater likely is the better option.

How Do Ticketmaster Fees and Prices Compare?

To illustrate the difference in Broadway ticket prices between Ticketmaster and direct theater purchases, here is a comparison table for a popular long-running Broadway musical:

On average for these sample seats, buying directly from the theater box office saves 34% compared to purchasing the same Broadway tickets through Ticketmaster. The absolute dollar savings ranges from $37 on lower-priced rear mezzanine tickets up to $76 savings on premium mid-orchestra seats. The convenience of Ticketmaster comes at a real cost.

Are There Any Risks Buying Directly from the Theater?

Purchasing Broadway tickets directly through the official theater box office and website is generally extremely safe due to:

• Direct Relationship – You are dealing directly with the theater itself rather than a third-party.
• Secure Payments – Theater websites directly process payments through secure methods like TLS encryption.
• Valid Tickets – As the exclusive issuer of tickets, the theater guarantees ticket validity and authenticity.

Producers work diligently to ensure box office and website ticket sales are scam-free. Fraud risks are extremely low purchasing Broadway tickets directly from the source. Just look for the theater’s official website and confirm it has “https” for a secure connection.

Is it Better to Buy Broadway Tickets in Advance?

If your schedule is flexible, buying Broadway tickets at the last minute can sometimes result in deals and discounts as theaters work to fill unsold seats. However, for very popular shows, booking well in advance is best to ensure you secure tickets. Here are some tips for timing your purchase:

• Buy Now for Hot Shows – If a show is very popular with limited seats, buy tickets as far in advance as possible.
• Wait for Sales – If flexible on dates, wait for special sales and promotions that offer discounted tickets.
• Try your Luck at Rush – Enter lotteries or wait in rush lines day-of-show for sold out performances.
• Avoid Peak Times – Prices are highest during peak seasons like holidays, summer, and weekends.

While waiting until the last minute can pay off, the risk is missing out on getting tickets. Booking in advance provides certainty you will get into highly demanded Broadway shows.

Conclusion

Ticketmaster provides a convenient way to purchase tickets for most Broadway shows in one place online. However, the extra fees and charges imposed make Ticketmaster an expensive option compared to buying direct from the theater box office and website. Significant savings can be achieved through theater discounts, lotteries, rush tickets, and other methods.

For top Broadway shows where demand exceeds supply, Ticketmaster ensures you can secure seats easily. But budget-conscious theater fans will want to explore other avenues to avoid paying premium prices. As long as you buy from the official source, getting Broadway tickets directly from the theater is a safe choice offering the best opportunity for savings.