Wicked is not just a movie, it’s a Broadway show that has been going on for more than two decades! An insane 23-year run, if you ask us. The show is one of the most popular shows on Broadway ever, with more than 72 million people that have seen it live so far.
Of course, the wider audience became familiar with Wicked thanks to the two super-popular movies starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. And thanks to the popularity of the movies and the show, ticket demand is off the charts, which means it might be a great moment for you to catch a Wicked Broadway show.
In this guide, you can learn how to get Wicket tickets, the best seats, the schedule for 2026, and more.
Wicked Keeps Getting Bigger and Bigger
If you somehow managed to miss out on the fact that Wicked movies are out, we’re here to tell you that yes, both movies have come out, and the story is finally complete. Both releases smashed records in terms of revenue. In fact, Wicked: For Good set a record for the highest opening weekend of any Broadway adaptation, ever.
After the first Wicked film in November 2024, Broadway searches for Wicked tickets spiked dramatically, and the same thing happened after the second movie was released. Many of the film’s new fans are seeing the story of Elphaba and Glinda for the first time and want to see where it all began: on a stage, live, with real performers.
There’s also something worth noting for viewers coming from the films: the stage show and the film are meaningfully different experiences.
The movies expanded and altered the story by adding new songs, new scenes, and a fully realized CGI world. On the other hand, the Broadway original remains its own distinct work.
With new fans that flock to Broadway after seeing the movies and vice versa, the demand for Wicked tickets skyrocketed.
Wicked on Broadway
Wicked plays at the Gershwin Theatre, located at 222 West 51st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. With approximately 1,933 seats, the Gershwin is one of the largest Broadway houses.
The theater has three levels: orchestra (ground floor), mezzanine (upper level, rows A–M), and no balcony above that. Despite its size, the Gershwin’s sightlines are generally good across most of the house.
The current cast is as follows:
- Elphaba: Keri René Fuller (promoted from Broadway standby; Broadway credits include SIX, Jagged Little Pill, Waitress)
- Glinda: Emma Flynn (Broadway debut; previously starred in Clueless the Musical in London’s West End)
- Fiyero: Carl Man (returning from London’s West End production)
- Madame Morrible: Ellen Harvey
- The Wizard: Blake Hammond (coming from the Wicked National Tour)
- Nessarose: Jenna Bainbridge
- Boq: Daniel Quadrino
- Doctor Dillamond: William Youmans
Cast changes are a regular part of long-running productions. And Wicked is one of the longest-running productions (fourth on the list, actually).
Moreover, Wicked plays 8 performances per week, so if you want to see it, there’s always a scheduled show that you can catch if you are going to NYC’s Broadway community.
The standard schedule is Tuesday through Friday evenings, with matinee and evening performances on Saturday and Sunday, and Wednesday matinees. Specific schedule details and any potential changes (which are very rare) are all available on the official site of the Broadway production.
How to Buy Wicked Broadway Tickets
Now comes the best part, purchasing the tickets. If you are doubting how to get the tickets and what is the best option for you, here are some of the best options for Wicket tickets to consider.
The Official Channels
The primary authorized ticketing sources are BroadwayDirect and Ticketmaster. The Gershwin Theatre box office at 222 West 51st Street is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Tuesday/Sunday from noon to 7 PM, so you can get tickets there too.
Plus, buying at the box office in person saves the online service fees. However, you have to be in New York to do it this way, which may or may not be possible for everyone.
Tickets are currently on sale until November 22, 2026, with subsequent show tickets being opened later on.
In fact, the official site recommends purchasing them approximately 6 months in advance to ensure you have best availability and pricing. As the performance date approaches and inventory tightens, prices tend to rise for all Broadway shows, and especially the ones that are as sought-after as Wicked is.
Here’s a hint: midweek performances (Tuesday–Thursday) are consistently the cheapest options if you are looking for a budget-friendly option.
The Digital Lottery
Wicked runs a digital lottery through BroadwayDirect too. It’s for NYC, so check if there’s an option for your local theater.
Lottery ticket prices are $55 for most performances and $65 for Friday evening, Saturday matinee/evening, and Sunday matinee performances.
For matinee performances, the lottery opens the day before at 10 AM and closes the day before at 4 PM. For evening performances, it opens the day before at 8 PM and closes the day of the performance at 11 AM.
Winners are notified by email and have 60 minutes to buy the tickets. Then these e-tickets are emailed to them directly.
There’s a limit, though. It’s possible to get maximum 2 tickets per winner. Moreover, the seats are assigned by the box office, so you cannot choose – and they might be partial view so keep that in mind.
TicketCenter
Movie-driven demand has pushed Wicked resale prices higher than it ever was. As a result, the tickets soon and quickly get sold out!
The only other option that many people are left is a marketplace. And lo and behold, there’s no better resale marketplace than TicketCenter.
The prices are often a bit over face value, but they are verified, safe, and reliable.
Never purchase from street scalpers or unverified individuals, just verified sources at TicketCenter. Counterfeit tickets are a documented risk, and the Gershwin box office cannot print or validate third-party tickets.
Wicked National Tour 2026–2027 Schedule
The North American national tour of Wicked (which is the second touring production, which has been running continuously since 2009) is currently booking through summer 2027.
The tour uses the same set, costumes, and flying effects as the Broadway production, so there’s virtually no difference in the shows. The only thing that is different is the fact that the show is not happening on Broadway!
Here is a look at all the dates and shows scheduled for the tour.
| Dates | City | Venue |
| Feb 18 – Mar 1, 2026 | Rochester, NY | Auditorium Theatre |
| Mar 4 – Mar 22, 2026 | Providence, RI | Providence Performing Arts Center |
| Mar 25 – Apr 5, 2026 | Columbia, SC | Koger Center for the Arts |
| Apr 8 – Apr 19, 2026 | Little Rock, AR | Robinson Center Music Hall |
| Apr 22 – May 3, 2026 | Springfield, MO | Juanita K. Hammons Hall |
| May 6 – Jun 14, 2026 | Dallas, TX | Music Hall at Fair Park |
| Jun 17 – Jul 5, 2026 | Omaha, NE | Orpheum Theater |
| Jul 8 – Aug 9, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN | Orpheum Theatre |
| Aug 12 – Aug 30, 2026 | Kansas City, MO | Kansas City Music Hall |
| Sep 2 – Sep 20, 2026 | Des Moines, IA | Des Moines Performing Arts |
| Sep 23 – Nov 15, 2026 | Boston, MA | Citizens Opera House |
| Nov 18 – Dec 6, 2026 | Greensboro, NC | Tanger Center for the Performing Arts |
| Jan 6 – Jan 31, 2027 | Orlando, FL | Dr. Phillips Center |
| Mar 3 – Mar 28, 2027 | Atlanta, GA | Fox Theatre |
| Jun 23 – Jul 25, 2027 | Houston, TX | Hobby Center |
Please note that tour dates are subject to change. Always verify through the official tour site before making travel arrangements.
Wicked Ticket Prices in 2026
Ticket prices vary, not only because of dates, but also timings and the type of production. For instance, Broadway is more expensive than a touring show, but that might change if the touring production is in high demand and you pick a Broadway show that is in a less sought-after time slot (or date). For instance, it’s far cheaper to see Wicked on a Tuesday than on Friday or Saturday, because weekends are considered premium days for shows.
Here is an estimation of the ticket prices for seeing Wicked this year – either on Broadway or by catching a touring production in your city.
Broadway (Gershwin Theatre)
- Digital lottery: $ 55 (weekdays/Sunday evening) or $65 (Fri evening, Sat and Sun matinees)
- Standard tickets: $128–$325 depending on section and day of week
- Premium seats: $190–$260+
- Holiday and high-demand performances: $400+
- Resale market: varies widely
This is simply an estimation and an average value of the tickets that you might get. Please check the official channels and TicketCenter for specific dates.
North American Tour
If you are hoping to save money and watch Wicked at your local theater, you can always go for a touring production show. On average, tickets for Wicked on the North American tour cost:
- Standard tickets: $80–$200 in most markets; higher in major cities
- Premium seats: up to $300–$400 in large-market engagements
- Lottery/discount programs: vary by venue
Not all venues participate in the lottery. In fact, the Gershwin lottery is for the Broadway show only (the digital lottery), but we are not sure about other venues.
Show vs. Film: What’s Actually Different
It doesn’t matter if you watched the movie first and then went to the show or vice versa, one thing is certain: it’s not the same. It’s actually two wholly different experiences!
The story is the same, but the way that the story progresses and what you get to see happen before you might be quite different than what you might expect.
| Broadway Show | Wicked and Wicked: For Good Films |
| The whole story is in one sitting | The story is split into two movies |
| Defying Gravity flying scene ending Act I | CGI sequence that ends the first movie |
| Only the Stephen Schwartz score | Expanded soundtrack, has new songs |
| There’s a massive mechanical dragon | There’s only CGI, no mechanical dragons |
| Cast changes, and there’s no Dorothy | Grande and Erivo, Dorothy appears in film 2 |
The first and biggest change is that watching the Broadway show delivers the entire story in one go. Technically, where the first movie ends is just the ending of Act I in the show!
All in all, the story of Glinda and Elphaba is told in less than 3 hours, while the movies take considerably more time to explain what actually happened with the Wicked witch.
You will also notice that the soundtrack is a bit different. On Broadway, only the original Stephen Schwartz soundtrack is used, but the movies use a couple of new songs that are not heard on Broadway. Still, the most important classics are there (“Defying Gravity”, “Popular”, “What is this feeling”, etc.)
And there’s no Dorothy on stage. Bethany Weaver plays Dorothy in the second movie, appearing right at the end of the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Broadway Wicked different from the movie?
Yes, and there are major differences between the two. The show covers the complete story in one go, while the films split the story into two parts. They also added new songs and scenes into the story.
Dorothy also never appears in the stage version. Both are worth experiencing, but the two experiences are two different things.
How long is Wicked the show?
The running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Are touring Wicked tickets cheaper than Broadway?
Generally, yes. And this is not just for Wicked, but for all Broadway shows.
Where should I sit to see Elphaba fly?
Front mezzanine rows B–D are the best seats for the Defying Gravity flying sequence. Sitting here allows you to see the full vertical range of the sequence.
Is Wicked appropriate for children?
The official recommendation is for ages 8 and older. Children under 5 are not admitted. There’s a lot of action, no violence, but still, it’s best for children 8 and older.