Cheap Wicked Tickets on Broadway: Lottery, Rush and Student Rates
The cheapest legitimate way to see Wicked on Broadway is the in person rush: $45 per ticket, including fees, sold at the Gershwin Theatre box office when it opens on the day of the show. The show also runs a $55 digital lottery for select performances, plus $59 student tickets and $79 military tickets for select Tuesday through Thursday performances. All four programs are run by the production, and the rules below come from the official Broadway site, checked on October 31, 2026.
Every discount at a glance
| Program | Price | Where | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person rush | $45 (includes $2 facility fee) | Gershwin Theatre box office, day of show | Limited number, 2 per person, may be partial view |
| Digital lottery | $55 including all fees | Online, official lottery page | Select performances; opens 9 AM and closes 3 PM the day before |
| Student rate | $59 | Gershwin box office, in person | Valid college or university ID; select Tuesday to Thursday shows this month; 2 per ID |
| Military rate | $79 | Gershwin box office, in person | Valid military ID; select Tuesday to Thursday shows, released monthly |
How the Wicked rush works
A limited number of rush tickets go on sale on the day of each performance when the Gershwin Theatre box office opens. The box office opens at 10 AM Monday through Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Rush tickets cost $45 each, and that price already includes the $2 facility fee. You can buy up to two.
Rush is first come, first served, so the people at the front of the line get the seats. The production warns that rush seats may be partial view. In practice that usually means a seat near the side or behind an overhang where part of the stage is cut off, which is a fair trade at roughly the price of a movie and dinner.
Tips for rush day:
- Arrive well before the box office opens, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and during school holidays.
- Bring a payment card and be ready to choose between performances if there are two that day.
- Have a backup plan. If rush sells out before you reach the window, the lottery for the next day may still be open.
How the Wicked digital lottery works
Wicked runs a digital lottery for select performances, with tickets at $55 including all fees. You enter online through the lottery link on the official site. The lottery for a given performance opens at 9 AM the day before and closes at 3 PM the day before. Winners are notified by email and then have one hour to buy their tickets online by credit card. The tickets arrive as e-tickets at the winner’s email address.
That one hour window is the part people miss. If you enter, keep your phone nearby that afternoon. If you do not complete the purchase in time, the tickets go to someone else.
Lottery odds are not published, and they change with the season. Holiday weeks and summer weekends draw far more entries than a Tuesday in late January. Entering for several weekday performances during your trip gives you the best chance. If you want a refresher on how Broadway lotteries work in general, our explainer on the Hamilton lottery covers the same basic system, and our Broadway lottery and rush guide lists every show’s policy.
Student and military tickets
College and university students can buy $59 tickets in person at the Gershwin box office with a valid student ID. The offer covers select Tuesday through Thursday performances during the current month and is limited to two tickets per ID, subject to availability.
Military members can buy tickets at the military rate of $79 in person at the box office with a valid military ID. These are released monthly for select Tuesday through Thursday performances.
Both programs reward flexibility. If you are visiting midweek, stop by the box office early in your trip to see which performances are available.
Which discount should you try?
The right program depends on how much flexibility you have.
- You are in New York for several days with an open schedule: Enter the digital lottery every day for the performances you could attend, and treat the rush line as a backup on the mornings after a losing draw. This combination gives you two shots at a cheap seat per day.
- You can only go on one specific night: Discounts are a gamble for a single date. Buy full price seats at the box office or through BroadwayDirect, and pick a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday if you can, when prices are usually lower than on weekends.
- You are a college student or in the military: Your rate is the most reliable discount, because it does not depend on a draw. Visit the box office early in the month for the best choice of performances.
- You are bringing a group: Rush and lottery are limited to two tickets, so they rarely work for families of four or more. Full price weekday seats or a group booking through the official channels are more practical.
Whatever you choose, stay with the official programs. Discount codes and “lottery” offers found on unofficial websites are not run by the production.
Buying full price tickets the smart way
If you need guaranteed seats on a specific date, buy full price tickets through the official channels. The production says the box office and BroadwayDirect have the same inventory, and that tickets bought in person at the box office are not subject to service fees. That makes a box office visit the cheapest way to buy regular seats if you are already in Manhattan.
The production also warns that tickets from brokers and third party sellers may cost more, may not guarantee a particular seat and may even be counterfeit. Counterfeit tickets are not honored at the theater, and the Gershwin box office cannot print tickets bought from a third party website. Our guide to buying theater tickets safely explains how to spot resale sites dressed up as official ones.
Where to sit at the Gershwin Theatre
The Gershwin, at 222 West 51st Street, is one of the largest theaters on Broadway. That size works in your favor for discounts, because there are more seats to fill, but it also means the back rows are far from the stage.
- Center orchestra: The classic choice. You are close to the performers and can see the full height of “Defying Gravity” at the end of Act 1.
- Front mezzanine: Many fans prefer it. The view takes in the whole set, including the dragon above the stage, and you are at eye level with Elphaba’s big moment.
- Rear mezzanine: The budget seats. The music and spectacle hold up well, but facial expressions are lost.
- Side sections: Watch for partial view notes, especially in the far side orchestra.
Running time and age rules
Wicked runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. The production recommends it for ages 8 and up. The Gershwin Theatre itself admits only guests ages 5 and older, and everyone needs a ticket. There is no dress code.
Seeing Wicked outside New York
If a New York trip is not in the cards, the North American tour may be coming near you. It plays long runs in Boston, Greensboro, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston and other cities through August 2027. See our Wicked tour dates page for the full schedule.
Cheap Wicked tickets FAQ
How do I get cheap Wicked tickets on Broadway?
The cheapest official option is the in person rush, $45 per ticket including fees, sold at the Gershwin Theatre box office when it opens on the day of the show. Wicked also runs a $55 digital lottery for select performances.
How does the Wicked lottery work?
The digital lottery opens at 9 AM the day before a select performance and closes at 3 PM that day. Winners are notified by email and have one hour to buy tickets online by credit card. Tickets cost $55 including all fees.
What time does the Wicked rush start?
Rush tickets go on sale when the Gershwin Theatre box office opens: 10 AM Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday. They cost $45, limit two per person, and may be partial view.
Does Wicked have student tickets?
Yes. College and university students can buy $59 tickets in person at the box office with a valid student ID for select Tuesday through Thursday performances in the current month, limit two per ID.
Does Wicked offer a military discount?
Yes. Tickets at the military rate of $79 are released monthly for select Tuesday through Thursday performances and are sold in person at the box office with a valid military ID.
What is the minimum age for Wicked on Broadway?
The production recommends Wicked for ages 8 and up, and the Gershwin Theatre admits only guests ages 5 and older.
More about the show: Wicked the musical.
Planning your visit? Read our guide to the Gershwin Theatre for where to sit and what to know before you go.
Sources and corrections
Prices and rules were checked on October 31, 2026 against these sources:
- Wicked on Broadway: official FAQ (lottery, rush, student and military rates, running time, age policy, where to buy)
- Wicked official Broadway site (theater address)
- Wicked North American tour schedule
Discount programs change without notice. Always confirm the current rules on the official site before you plan around them. Spot an error? Email info@theatertickets.com and we will check it and update this page.
