TKTS Booth opened on June 25th, 1973, to help a struggling Broadway and Times Square.

The booth has been a symbol for New York City Theater for 50 years strong.

On Wednesday, members from the Broadway community, along with elected officials, gathered to celebrate the booth’s golden anniversary.

What You Need To Know

  • Since 1973 the TKTS booth in Times Square has sold 68 million tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows and has brought in 2.3 billion dollars in revenue

  • On Wednesday, members from the Broadway community, along with elected officials, gathered to celebrate the booth’s golden anniversary

  • The booth has been a symbol for New York City Theater for 50 years strong

  • The Mayor’s office proclaimed Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in the City of New York as TKTS Day

The Mayor’s office proclaimed Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in the City of New York as TKTS Day. Also known as the half price ticket booth, TKTS has been providing discounted tickets since the early 70s when shows like “Pippin, “A Little Night Music”, and “The Wiz,” were on the boards.

Victoria Bailey is the outgoing executive director of TDF, the Theater Development Fund, the not for profit that operates the booth. “

We have a whole host of programs that are geared towards bringing people to the theater so students, people with disabilities, and this activity here helps support those programs,” Bailey said.

To mark the occasion, theater fans were treated to a performance by Broadway Inspirational Voices.

“You don’t have New York City without Broadway and you don’t have Broadway without TDF,” Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League, said.

“This organization has continually given this gift to people because, you know, ticket prices are rising every day, every year. And so this booth becomes even more important,” S. Epatha Merkerson said.

The TKTS Booth is still one of the best places in the city to get last minute “day of” theater tickets.

A tip to getting last-minute tickets is to check out TDF.org or download the TKTS app to see what shows will be offered before arriving at the booth in Times Square or at their satellite location at Lincoln Center.   

“I’m a social worker and money is tight these days so I can get a discount to get mental health and enjoy myself,” Michelle Moultrie, a social worker from New Jersey, said, as she waited in line at the booth.

“I think it’s very important because a lot of tourists as well, like me, will come here. And the most important thing for my trip is to watch a musical. So I think if it wasn’t for tickets, my trip wouldn’t be complete,” Bruna Fernandes, a tourist from Brazil, said.