TKTS

Thirty-five years ago the City of New York approached Theatre Development Fund (TDF), then a young not-for-profit performing arts service organization, and asked if it would be interested in running a ticket center in Times Square which would sell same-day half-price tickets to Broadway shows.

The City’s interest in starting a half-price ticket booth was driven in large part by its concern about the unsavory nature of Times Square. Drug problems, thievery, and prostitution plagued the area, and tourists and New Yorkers alike shied away. The hope was that the ticket center would bring legitimate trade into the area and help to rebuild the neighborhood.

1973 TKTS during its first summer of operation. Photo: Theater Development Fund

Opening on June 25, 1973, the TKTS booth was an immediate success. New Yorkers and tourists began to flock to this new destination in Times Square. Since then, TKTS has become integral to the health of Broadway and Off Broadway theatre in New York City. On average, between 12 and 15 percent of the Broadway audience buy its tickets at the booth each year.

TKTS has sold over 51 million tickets to New Yorkers and visitors, many of whom were going to see live theatre for the first time. These tickets represent revenue of over $1.4 billion to thousands of Broadway, Off Broadway, music, and dance productions.

TKTS is a project of Theatre Development Fund, a not-for-profit organization, with the cooperation of the Broadway League and the City of New York.

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