There was a lot of chatter this past season (mostly in the press and on social media) about how Broadway got even more expensive, with its $900 tickets, “The Clooney Premium,” and more.  I did a video about how, of all the shows that had announced recoupment last season, they were all plays, and all but one had stars.  There were a lot of comments from that video that suggested one of the reasons why was high ticket prices.  (See the video, which went a little viral, on Instagram and TikTok.)

So I wanted to do a deep-dive and determine if prices were really that much more expensive this past year than other years.

The concern about high ticket prices is a valid one, of course.  We can’t afford (pun intended) to price out the average theatergoer. 

So are the super-high prices, talked about in the press, true?

As with most headlines . . . the reality is a little more nuanced.

Let’s take a look at the actual data.

I researched the average ticket prices on Broadway over the last 10 years and graphed it below, so you can see how prices are rising on Broadway.  But here’s the upshot.

Back in 2018–2019, the last full pre-pandemic season, the average Broadway ticket cost $123.87*. 

Fast forward to the current 2024–2025 season, and that number is $129.12*.

That’s a $5.25 increase in six years. Less than 1 dollar per year.

So yes, technically speaking, Broadway IS more expensive now than it was.  But tell me – honestly – with all the talk about $900 tickets – didn’t you expect that average to be higher?

Now here’s where it gets interesting. 

If you want to talk about rising ticket prices, we also have to talk about inflation. 

From mid-2019 to today, consumer prices have risen about 21.7%.

If Broadway ticket prices had simply kept pace with the economy, the average ticket today would be $150.77.

So the price of Broadway tickets is actually lagging behind inflation.

Take a look at this graph*, which says it all. 

And yet, even when staring at the graph and seeing how flat Broadway tickets have been over the last few years, it still feels more expensive, doesn’t it?

Why?

Because perception is everything. And the perception is being driven by high-priced premium seats for the most in-demand stars and shows, which make headlines but don’t reflect the reality of the marketplace.   

Do you think this headline gets clicks?  

EXTRA! EXTRA!  BROADWAY PRICES REMAIN RELATIVELY FLAT! 

Nope.  

What is not talked about in the press are the various ways to get tickets for much less, from rush to rear mezz seats to TDF, TodayTix, and more.  All of that activity helps average the ticket price down.

Yes, yes, don’t get me wrong, seeing George Clooney was expensive.  But all of Broadway?  It’s technically less expensive than it was when you factor in inflation. 

I know, I know, it’s still a lot of money.  And wouldn’t it be great if it was cheaper?  

But it’s live entertainment, with the best in the WORLD performing it, designing it, directing it, dressing it, etc.  Anything live, with the best of the best doing it, from professional sports to concerts, is going to be expensive.  Because it can’t be scaled as easily as having an assembly line make more of it.  (Thank goodness.)  Movies can be cheaper (although some lottery tickets for Broadway shows are cheaper than a movie) because they can be streamed anywhere and everywhere with the click of a button.  Hal Prince said that theater tickets would always be expensive and should be.  

What we have to make sure we do is keep working at developing programs and prices to allow those who can’t afford the average still get in . . . so they develop their theatergoing habit for the future.  (Check out The Situation Project – one of the best programs for it out there.)

Oh, and it also must be said, that over these last five years, partly because of the flat ticket prices, profitability (the number of shows recouping their capitalization) is DOWN since the pandemic.  

Because you know what HAS increased since the pandemic?  Expenses.  Producing shows is more expensive now than it ever has been – seriously outpacing inflation.  

So no, Broadway is not getting dramatically more expensive across the board. The data just doesn’t support that narrative. 

And we have to start making sure people know that.  

Because if we let the perception run wild without correcting it, we risk alienating future audiences. They will “hear” it’s more expensive and eliminate it as an option.  That’s why it’s on us—producers, marketers, industry insiders—to spread the truth and to continue to promote the other opportunities and other shows that have more reasonable prices. 

Because Broadway is still one of the best entertainment values out there.  

I want to continue hearing your thoughts on this subject. Feel free to share your thoughts here or here.

*Source: The Broadway League, “Broadway Season Statistics 2014-2015 through 2024-2025”