The Metropolitan Opera is Giving Away 70,000 Free Tickets This Season

Have you ever wanted to see a show at the Metropolitan Opera but found it too expensive? Now, New Yorkers have a chance to win free tickets. The Met is giving away 70,000 free tickets to New Yorkers during its 2026-27 season.

The new program, Opera for All, is a partnership between the Met and New York City’s Mayor’s Office. Beginning this month, 10,000 tickets will be released each month through a lottery. That’s about 10% of all of the Met’s tickets for the season.

The program aims to get more New Yorkers into the Metropolitan Opera House. According to the city, anyone who lives in New York City and hasn’t purchased a Met Opera ticket since 2019 is eligible to enter.

There are plenty of performances happening this season too. The lineup includes Macbeth, La Bohème and the new opera Lincoln in the Bardo.

Here’s How To Get Free Tickets

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A post shared by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@nycmayor)

New Yorkers can enter the lottery through the Met Opera app or the city’s Opera for All page.

Tickets will be available in every section of the Metropolitan Opera House except standing room. The city is also working with NYCHA, public schools, libraries, CUNY, and other organizations to get tickets directly to more New Yorkers. Keep in mind that you must live in New York City to qualify.

The Met Has A Lot Of Seats To Fill

The Metropolitan Opera House has 3,800 seats. According to the Met, its average paid attendance is currently around 75%. That leaves plenty of empty seats throughout the season.

The 70,000 Opera for All tickets make up about 10% of the Met’s total seating capacity for the year. The Met says the new program will let some unsold seats go to New Yorkers who haven’t attended before.

There are already a few ways to see an opera for less. The Met offers $25 Rush Tickets and $35 tickets for students, but Opera for All gives eligible New Yorkers a chance to go completely free. The Met has already committed to continuing Opera for All in future seasons.