How to Get FREE Tickets to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

The news that Trevor Noah is leaving The Daily Show has created renewed interest in tickets to all the late night TV shows taped in NYC.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is another popular late night program. Here’s how to get tickets.

Tickets to shows taped in NYC are FREE. Anybody who wants to sell you tickets to a late night TV show is scamming you.

Some rules first –

Dress appropriately, since you might be on TV during audience shots. All shows reserve the right to deny you admission, even with a ticket, if you are dressed inappropriately for TV or appear to be “under the influence”.

ecoXplorer Insider Tip:

As a former TV News reporter (for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in NYC), Evelyn Kanter knows that that TV studios are normally kept cold, between 55 and 65 degrees, to compensate for the hot lights.
So this word of advice – bring a sweater or light jacket with you.

Expect airport-like security for some shows, including showing a valid photo ID with proof of age, and proof of Covid vaccination for entry.

Phones, tablets and other recording devices are permitted, but may not used during a taping.

You will be ejected from the audience for using an electronic device for any reason during a taping. Save your selfies or texting for before or after the taping.

Perhaps most important, there is no guarantee of admission even with a ticket, so do not book airline tickets based on attending a TV show taping.

How to Get FREE Tickets to

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

How to Get Tickets to

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, between 53rd and 54th Streets, Monday through Friday at 5:30pm.

Tickets are released one calendar month at a time, and sometimes sell out on the day of the release. Wait list tickets are available up to ten days ahead.

Follow the show’s official Facebook and Twitter pages to find out release dates.

If you a lucky enough to get a ticket, you will be notified text by CCNotifier, which requires that you install the app PushBullet on your cellphone.

VIP tickets are available occasionally. These are fund-raisers for charities, and vary by price.

Plan to arrive no later than 3pm to join the ticket line, even earlier if you want to be in one of the front rows. The website recommends as early as 11am for seats up front.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert no longer offers standby tickets.

Link to request free tickets

CBS Studios COVID-19 Attendance Policies (from the website)

All attendees must:

Be fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 booster shot (if eligible) prior to your date of attendance.
Provide in Person Verification of full Vaccination and booster shot

Prior to entering the theater, provide proof of official vaccination through the Excelsior Pass (for NY State Residents), CLEAR (if available to you) or an original physical vaccination card (copies and photos will not be accepted).

Trained individuals will be reviewing proof of vaccination at check-in.

Be 18 years of age or over, or 16 years of age or older if attending with a parent or legal guardian.

There are no exceptions to these requirements, according to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert ticket information website page.

Where to Eat in Times Square/Theater District

at Local Restaurants Not National Chains

Parts of this article were published originally on my website NYC on the Cheap, which was hacked and destroyed in February 2022.

It has been updated for publication here on ecoXplorer.com. Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.