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Mamdani launches free Broadway lottery

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The gist

Mayor Mamdani and TDF launched a lottery for 2,100 free Broadway tickets to NYC high school.
The lottery gives every entrant a free two-month TDF membership, expanding access to discounted.

Background

Broadway tickets are often expensive, making them inaccessible to many New Yorkers. Mayor Zohran Mamdani partnered with the non-profit Theater Development Fund (TDF) to offer high school students a chance to win free tickets to seven shows, aiming to make the arts more equitable.

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 13, 2026Mayor Mamdani and TDF announced the lottery, with the entry website going live at 10 a.m.
  2. Aug 17, 2026 10:00The lottery closes at 10 a.m.; winners can claim up to two tickets.
  3. Sep 13, 2026Free two-month TDF memberships remain available to all entrants through this date.

Who’s saying what

Official
Mayor Mamdani said every young person should experience the city's art regardless of their bank account.
Support
Manhattan Borough President Brad Holyman-Sigal called Broadway a gem and praised the initiative for making tickets accessible.

Sources

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