Broadway added $21 billion to NYC’s economy over the 2024-2025 season, says new analysis from The Broadway League. That figure encompasses much more than ticket revenue, including other ancillary activities, such as food, drinks, and hotel stays, essentially painting a comprehensive picture of the NYC spending that Broadway inspires.
The report used to be an annual affair, though the 2020 pandemic forced a pause—this data is the League’s latest release since the 2018-2019 season. Since then, they found a 22% increase in ancillary tourist spending, which climbed to $12 billion. The League says that, all in all, Broadway was responsible for $979 million in NYC tax revenue.
The findings also show that Broadway continues to be a powerful inspiration for NYC tourism. Of domestic tourism, 79% of theatregoers from the NYC suburbs and 73% of them outside the NYC metro area reported Broadway as very important in their decision to visit Manhattan. For international tourists, that number was 59%.
And when it comes to that ancillary spending, international tourists are leading the pack. International theatregoers accounted for 19% of Broadway-inspired tourism, but contributed 42% of the total money brought into the city.
The report, however, paints a bleak picture about rising production costs. The 2024-2025 season had 25 fewer performance weeks (meaning less shows, not a reduced calendar) than the 2018-2019 season, but operating expenditures were much higher, climbing to $1.9 billion from $1.4 billion, a 7% increase. The reporting says that the 44 new shows that opened in the 2024-2025 cost a total of $418 million to produce, which reflected a 39% increase compared to the 2018-2019 season with its 39 new shows.
The full report is available at BroadwayLeague.com.
“New York City is simply unimaginable without the bright lights of Broadway. Millions of visitors travel here specifically to experience the extraordinary artistry and talent on display in live theatre, and they also support local restaurants, hotels, stores, taxis, and other attractions,” says League President Jason Laks in a statement. “Broadway remains a magnetic force and economic engine for New York City but faces significant challenges as production costs and operating expenses continue to rise. The League will continue to advocate for solutions that keep the magic of Broadway alive and accessible.”