Metropolitan Opera and NYC announce 70,000 free tickets

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a partnership with the Metropolitan Opera titled ‘Opera for All’ to distribute 70,000 free tickets during the 2026–27 season. The initiative aims to democratize access to the opera house, targeting New York City residents who have not purchased a ticket to the Met since 2019.

Eligible participants must be city residents with a valid ID and must download the Met Opera app to enter a lottery. Winners can receive up to six tickets per person, with a limit of two tickets per performance. The free tickets will cover all seating categories except standing room and represent approximately ten percent of the season's total capacity.

Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Opera has launched ‘Make the Met Forever,’ a $1.5 billion fundraising campaign intended to ensure the institution's long-term financial stability. The opera house noted that the free ticket program helps fill seats that might otherwise remain empty, as average paid attendance currently stands at 75 percent.