When it comes to buying tickets for popular Broadway shows, Broadway.com and Ticketmaster are two of the biggest players in the game. But which ticketing site is better for securing seats to your must-see musicals and plays?
Here we’ll compare and contrast Broadway.com and Ticketmaster to help you decide where to buy your Broadway tickets.
A Brief Comparison Table Of Broadway.Com And Ticketmaster:
| Feature | Broadway.com | Ticketmaster |
| Fees | No service fees, just $8 flat delivery fee per order | Varying services fees on every ticket (10-25% of ticket price) plus $5+ delivery fees per ticket |
| Broadway Inventory | Access to most shows, plus exclusive ticket lotteries and rush tickets | Sells many Broadway shows, but no exclusive ticket offerings |
| Ease of Use | Simple, focused site and app just for theater tickets | More robust but busier site and app covering all event types |
| Customer Service | Phone, chat, and email support with fast response times | Phone, chat and email available but slower response |
| Order Delivery | Mobile tickets, printed, or box office pickup | Mobile, print at home or venue will call pickup |
| Rewards Program | Yes, Broadway Rewards for ticket discounts | No theater specific rewards program |
| Exchanges/Refunds | Exchangeable tickets for most shows | No exchanges or refunds except with insurance |
Overview Of Broadway.Com
Owned by Broadway Across America, Broadway.com is the official website for Broadway theatre. It provides show information, news, and tools for buying tickets to Broadway productions in New York City as well as touring shows across North America.
Some key things to know about Broadway.com:
- Offers tickets to nearly every current Broadway and off-Broadway show.
- Sells both regular price and premium tickets, with premium tickets including orchestra seats closer to the stage.
- Provides seating charts so you can see ticket locations and prices.
- Features exclusive ticket lotteries for certain popular shows.
- Allows you to create an account to manage your tickets.
- Does not charge service fees on tickets, just a flat delivery fee per order.
Overview Of Ticketmaster
As one of the largest ticketing providers worldwide, Ticketmaster sells tickets for concerts, sports, and also theater events including Broadway shows.
Here are some key Ticketmaster features:
- Sells tickets for Broadway, off-Broadway, and national touring productions.
- Provides interactive seat maps to see available tickets and prices.
- Allows you to buy and store tickets online or via mobile app.
- Offers verified resale tickets from other fans through Ticketmaster Resale.
- Charges service fees on all ticket orders in addition to delivery fees.
- Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded except in limited circumstances.
Broadway.Com And Ticketmaster: In-Depth Comparison And Key Features
Pricing and Fees
One of the biggest differences between Broadway.com and Ticketmaster is their fee structure.
Broadway.com has a simple fee model:
- No service fees on tickets, just a flat $8 delivery fee per order
- Optional insurance available for $8 per ticket
Ticketmaster’s fees are more complex:
- Service fees on all tickets – usually 10-25% of ticket price
- Delivery fees per ticket – print at home or mobile delivery is $5+ per ticket
- No fee insurance available for $7-10 per ticket
The convenience fees and delivery fees both per ticket at Ticketmaster can really add up, easily tacking on $25+ to your order. Broadway.com’s flat fee model is more affordable, especially for larger orders.
Also Read: Comparison Between Tickpick And Ticketmaster.
Ticket Availability
In general, Broadway.com and Ticketmaster have access to similar inventory for Broadway shows. However, there can be some key differences:
Exclusive Broadway.com lotteries – Some very popular Broadway musicals like Hamilton run ticket lotteries through Broadway.com that are not available on Ticketmaster.
Broadway Rush tickets – Broadway.com lists all shows offering rush tickets and their policies. Ticketmaster does not offer broadway rush tickets.
Ticketmaster resale – Ticketmaster provides a resale marketplace from fans, sometimes offering seats that are sold out on primary market.
Regional ticketing – For Broadway tours, Broadway.com may have exclusive inventory allocated to them as the official broadway site.
So while availability is quite similar, Broadway.com may edge out Ticketmaster when it comes to high-demand shows.
Ease of Use
Both Broadway.com and Ticketmaster offer user-friendly websites and mobile apps to search shows, check seating charts, and complete purchases.
Broadway.com has a simple buying process, while Ticketmaster tries to upsell you at many steps.
It’s easier to understand the final cost at Broadway.com as fees are made clear upfront, while Ticketmaster can sometimes surprise you with fees at checkout.
Overall Broadway.com offers a smoother, more streamlined experience for buying Broadway tickets specifically. The focus on theater shows makes it simple.
Customer Service
Need help with your Broadway tickets? Customer service should be a factor.
Broadway.com
- Phone support 7 days a week
- Online chat during business hours
- Email support
Ticketmaster
- Phone support long wait times are common
- Online chat and email support
- Response times can be slow
Since Broadway.com focuses solely on theater while Ticketmaster serves all event types globally, customer service is more tailored and responsive at Broadway.com.
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Order Delivery
How you get your Broadway tickets is another key consideration.
With Broadway.com you can:
- Download tickets to your smartphone
- Get printed tickets shipped by FedEx
- Pick up tickets at the box office
Ticketmaster offers:
- Mobile tickets
- Print at home tickets
- Pick up tickets at the venue will call
Both sites provide safe, secure, and flexible delivery options for your Broadway tickets. Mobile tickets provide added convenience as you don’t need to print or carry anything extra.
Rewards Programs
Loyalty programs are a great way to earn perks and save money on Broadway tickets over time.
Broadway.com has the free Broadway Rewards program. You earn points for purchases that can be redeemed for ticket discounts and exclusive experiences.
Ticketmaster does not offer a rewards program specifically for theater tickets.
Protection and Cancellations
With Broadway tickets being a significant investment, you want assurance in case your plans change unexpectedly.
Both Broadway.com and Ticketmaster allow you to add insurance to cover cancellation and get refunds if certain covered circumstances come up.
However, Broadway.com also allows ticket exchanges to a future date at no extra cost for most shows. Exchanges must be made more than 24 hours before the performance.
Ticketmaster tickets are generally non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, even for a fee. The insurance is your only option.
So Broadway.com provides more flexibility if you need to change dates, while Ticketmaster tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Ticketmaster is an authorized ticket seller for Broadway shows. The tickets sold on Ticketmaster are legitimate and will get you into the theater.
However, it’s worth comparing Broadway.com as well for lower fees and better policies for theater tickets.
No, Broadway.com is not a ticket resale marketplace. They are an official primary market ticket seller, contractually authorized to sell tickets for Broadway shows.
Broadway.com sells premium tickets in choice seating areas, but not marked up speculative resale tickets. Any show tickets you buy through Broadway.com are guaranteed valid.
Not necessarily. Broadway box office locations usually charge higher fees than online sites like Broadway.com and Ticketmaster.
Buying online can save you time and money, as well as allow you to conveniently select your exact seats using interactive seat maps.
However, for rush tickets that are only sold in-person, going to the box office is your only option.
To ensure your Broadway tickets are valid, only buy from official sources like Broadway.com or Ticketmaster. Check for a Broadway League authorized reseller seal.
Once you receive mobile or hard tickets, review all the details like barcodes, seat info, and security elements like holograms.
If buying resale tickets, only purchase from sites like Ticketmaster Resale that guarantee all tickets. Avoid unofficial resellers.
By purchasing from reputable, authorized sellers, you can buy Broadway tickets with confidence.
Watch the video to learn more!
The Verdict: Is One Site Better Than The Other?
When it comes to buying coveted Broadway tickets, is Broadway.com or Ticketmaster better?
For purchasing Broadway show tickets specifically, Broadway.com comes out on top as the better option in most cases.
The key advantages of buying from Broadway.com:
- Cheaper overall fees and costs
- Better Broadway inventory and access
- Smoother buying experience for theater
- Better customer service for theater tickets
- Rewards program perks for Broadway fans
- More flexibility to exchange tickets if needed
Ticketmaster is still a reputable option accepted at all Broadway theaters. However, the higher fees, lack of broadway focus, and no exchanges make it less ideal for securing Broadway seats.
For the biggest Broadway selection, best user experience, and lowest delivery cost, Broadway.com is the winner for buying broadway tickets online. The official broadway site offers the right tools tailored to theatergoers.