How do I get tickets for a live studio taping in New York City?

There’s nothing quite like live television – especially when you get to be part of the fun. The formula for a winning live broadcast depends upon audiences filled with people who want to bring the energy – in other words, you.

While it’s not hard to spot a famous face or two on New York City streets, it’s best to act like a true New Yorker by playing it cool and leaving celebs alone (before texting everyone you know about your sighting, of course). By contrast, at live studio tapings, you’re not only allowed to cheer for your favorite stars – you’re encouraged to do so.

And the best part? Joining one of these lively sessions is completely free.

So forget tuning in from your living room. Here’s everything you need to know about joining a live studio audience in New York City.

Which shows tape live in New York City?

There are three types of live tapings you can join in NYC. On weekday mornings, look out for Today, NBC’s cheery news-and-entertainment broadcast; Live with Kelly and Mark, the talk show featuring the perky wife-and-husband duo, on ABC; Good Morning America, ABC’s morning program, with news and features aired live from Times Square; The View, with its panel of distinguished gals gabbing about hot topics; and humor and heart-filled talk shows hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Drew Barrymore. 

Another category consists of weeknight comedy talk shows, which tape in the afternoon and early evening for broadcast later that night. These include NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers; ABC’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (sadly going off the air for good in May 2026); Comedy Central’s The Daily Show; and HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which airs once a week. 

In a class of its own is Saturday Night Live (SNL), NBC’s long-running, legendary late-night sketch show, which offers two Saturday performances: the live broadcast itself at 11:30pm, and the dress rehearsal at 8pm. While the rehearsal always hews very close to the final product (there isn’t much time to change it!), there’s a good chance it will features material that gets cut before the live taping – offering an insider look at what makes it big or what bombs.

How do I get tickets to a live studio taping?

You’ll find most tickets for most of these programs on 1iota, the go-to platform for live tapings. To get tickets through 1iota, make an account, submit a ticket request, and then cross your fingers for a confirmation. Most shows list a guest star for each taping, so peruse different dates to see who might be in the studio. (Understandably, the more famous the guest, the higher the demand for tickets.) Just don’t pin your hopes on this, for guest lineups occasionally change at the last minute.

Some shows are easier to get into than others. For instance, you won’t need a ticket to wave at Today’s hosts from the “Today Plaza” outside the show’s street-level Rockefeller Center studio: fans get standing-room spots on a first-come, first-served basis. Other shows require serious preparation – especially SNL, which opens a ticket lottery in August for the season to come. If you’re selected at the end of the month, you’ll receive a set number of tickets for a random show between October and May, so expect to plan accordingly (you won’t get any say in the date). For most other shows, planning a few weeks ahead reaps rewards.

Don’t assume that tickets guarantee seats, however. All productions overbook their shows to ensure packed houses. Note your ticket’s check-in time and plan to arrive at least 30–45 minutes before that time, if not earlier. If you’re late to the party, you might get turned away.

How to get same-day tickets to a live studio taping

Since every show wants a fully packed audience for every taping, shows have standby lines or issue same-day standby cards (check details for your favorite shows, since all have different policies). Many lines form around 8am – and while early birds are most likely to snatch seats, it’s important to remember that standbys only get into tapings when there are enough extra tickets or cancellations.

Audience requirements for live studio tapings

Most shows have a minimum age requirement (usually 16 or 18) and require the presentation of a valid, government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport upon entry. (Foreigners are welcome, as long as they present their physical passport.) Use of cell phones, cameras and other electronics is almost always prohibited, as are outside food and drink. Prepare to turn all your devices off before entering the studio. 

What to expect once you’re in the audience

If you received a ticket and arrived on time, plan to go through airport-style security, then wait in a holding room before the taping begins. Use this time to take any last-minute bathroom breaks, as most shows don’t let audience members leave their seats during filming. 

Inside the studio, a team member or stand-up comedian will warm up the crowd, reminding you of your sole role in the proceedings: playing the World’s Best Audience Member, which includes laughing and applauding on cue. The hosts of most talk shows chat with the audience for a few minutes prior to taping. Aside from that, expect limited interaction with big-name talent. 

Tapings usually last between 75 and 120 minutes, but you should budget roughly 4 hours for the entire process, from getting in line to leaving the studio. We recommend using the bathroom whenever you can before the taping, even if you don’t think you need to.

What to wear to a live studio taping

Always check your ticket for clothing requirements, and dress accordingly. (Many shows call for “smart casual” attire.) If you don’t get any show-specific guidance, remember that you might be seen on broadcast television. Wear something to make your favorite elementary school teacher proud (think semiformal with a conservative slant). Stick to solid dark or bright colors. Avoid logos, busy patterns and white tops – they’re all on-camera no-nos. You’ll also want a light jacket or sweater: studios are notoriously chilly, to offset the heat generated by film lights. 

As for footwear, opt for comfort, as you might end up standing for hours or walking through long hallways backstage. Save tight shoes or high heels for another time. 

When to travel for live tapings 

Plan your trip to New York City for autumn, early winter or spring, when most shows will be taping live (rather than in reruns). Thanks to mild weather, these are also the best seasons to brave long standby lines while exposed to the elements. Many shows, including SNL, take a summer hiatus.  

Where to dine and drink near the studios

If you’re around NBC Studios, keep your visit on-brand by popping into Pebble Bar for classy cocktails (SNL funnyman Pete Davidson is one of the investors). If you want something fast-casual, roll into Ace’s Pizza for a square-cut, Detroit-style slice, then grab a pastry or piece of cake from Breads Bakery. 

For those who find themselves on Manhattan’s far west side for The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight, continue your political musings over a beer at As Is NYC, or hike down to The Waylon to sample Tex-Mex at the bar where Seth Meyers interviewed Post Malone for Late Night’s “Day Drinking” segment. 

If you’re visiting ABC’s studios on the Upper West Side, drop into Old John’s Luncheonette for NYC diner classics like egg creams and burgers. Alternatively, follow the taste buds of Art Moore, the executive in charge of Live with Kelly and Mark – according to Time Out New York, he loves the nearby Italian spot Pomodoro Rosso. 

What to do if you can’t join a live taping

There’s plenty to see at NBC Studios even when the cameras aren’t rolling. Learn what happens behind the scenes by joining a tour of 30 Rock, during which an NBC page (yes – they really do still wear uniforms) will recount the building’s history while showing off its studios. Unlike live tapings, these tours are hands-on and include an opportunity to “produce” your own show in collaboration with fellow guests.

You can also take a trip down memory lane by visiting the Paley Center for Media, a Midtown video library with daily screenings of popular television classics. If you want to see old-school talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, make an appointment with the center’s archives, which are packed with roughly 160,000 TV and radio programs, as well as advertisements. 

Film buffs should also consider heading to Astoria, Queens, and the Museum of the Moving Image. This wonderful museum lets visitors dive into director retrospectives, practice DIY sound mixing or learn about Jim Henson, the man behind The Muppets.

You never know who or what you’ll run into on NYC streets, either, since hundreds of movies and TV shows film in New York every year (many of the locations get posted by @now_filming_nyc). So get out and explore – on a simple city stroll, it’s not hard to run into a production on location.