Broadway just had its biggest year ever — again. The Broadway League reported May 27 that the 2025–26 season grossed $1,910,903,835, drawing 14,577,322 attendances across 13,416 performances. The total set a new annual record, edging the previous season’s mark even in a still-uncertain economy.

The numbers

The headline gross of roughly $1.91 billion topped the prior season’s approximately $1.89 billion by about 1%. There is a caveat that makes the achievement larger than it looks: the 2024–25 season ran 53 weeks rather than the standard 52, a calendar correction the League applies roughly every seven years to keep weekly reporting aligned with the year. Measured week for week, this season’s pace ran ahead. Attendance of 14.6 million held essentially level with last year’s record crowds.

A vote of confidence in live experience

Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, framed the result as proof of durable demand for theater. Audiences “continue to have a deep passion for live theatre,” Laks said, adding that “even in a challenging economic environment, Broadway remained notably on par with last season.” The read fits a broader pattern that economists have flagged for two years running — consumers pulling back on goods while continuing to spend on experiences, from concerts to live theater.

What drove the season

The season delivered a steady stream of high-grossing titles and strong final weeks; “Every Brilliant Thing” set a new house record in the closing stretch, and star-driven plays, including the run that ended Daniel Radcliffe’s stint, helped push the final weeks higher. Broadway’s economic weight extends well beyond the box office: the industry is one of the city’s signature tourism draws, and its grosses ripple through Midtown restaurants, hotels and parking. A record at the box office is also, in effect, a record for a chunk of the city’s visitor economy.

The context

Broadway’s recovery from its pandemic shutdown has been uneven — some seasons leaned heavily on a handful of blockbusters while mid-tier shows struggled to find audiences and recoup. Back-to-back record grosses suggest the top line has stabilized, even if individual productions still face brutal economics and short runs. With the 2025–26 books now closed and the Tony Awards set for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, the industry heads into summer on its strongest financial footing since before 2020.

Verification

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Broadway gross in 2025–26?
$1,910,903,835, a new annual record, per the Broadway League's figures released May 27, 2026.
How many people attended?
14,577,322 attendances across 13,416 performances over the 52-week season.
Did it really beat the prior record?
Yes, by about 1% over the prior season's roughly $1.89 billion — though that earlier season ran 53 weeks, a calendar correction the League makes about every seven years, so the per-week gain was larger.
Who runs Broadway's trade group?
The Broadway League, whose president is Jason Laks.