Shakespeare’s Globe releases a limited number of £5 Rush standing tickets every Friday at 11am. The tickets cover eligible Globe Theatre performances taking place from the following Monday to Sunday and can appear even when a show otherwise looks sold out.

This is one of London’s strongest theatre deals, but it is not a normal reserved seat. You will stand in the Yard as a Groundling, close to the stage, for the full performance.

Check this week’s £5 Rush performances →

How Shakespeare’s Globe £5 Rush works

Each Monday, the Globe updates its Rush page with the performances due to be included in that Friday’s release. Shortly before 11am on Friday, a Book £5 Rush button appears and lets visitors join the online queue.

The Globe assigns people in the waiting room a random queue number. Joining extremely early therefore does not guarantee that you will be first, but arriving after the release begins can still put you behind people already in the system.

When you reach the booking page, choose an eligible performance and select the Yard on the theatre map. If the £5 allocation remains available, you can add it to your basket and complete payment.

Try for a £5 Globe ticket

  1. Check the Rush page on Monday or later.

    Confirm that your preferred play and performance appear in that week’s list.

  2. Open the page before 11am on Friday.

    Sign in or prepare your contact and payment details so checkout does not delay you.

  3. Join through the Book £5 Rush button.

    Wait for your assigned queue position and do not repeatedly open extra tabs unless the Globe advises it.

  4. Choose the performance and select the Yard.

    The discounted ticket is a standing Groundling place, not a gallery seat.

  5. Finish payment promptly.

    Availability is limited and putting a ticket in your basket may not protect it indefinitely.

What is a Groundling ticket?

Groundlings stand in the open-air Yard immediately around the stage. There is no allocated position and no chair. The experience can be wonderfully immersive: actors use the Yard, the stage is close and the atmosphere is unlike a conventional West End auditorium.

It is also physically more demanding. Check the production’s running time, wear comfortable shoes and prepare to remain standing through the performance and interval. The Yard is exposed to the weather, so bring suitable layers or a raincoat rather than relying on an umbrella that could block someone else’s view.

Our best tips for Friday at 11am

  • Check the eligible performance list before Friday rather than deciding while your booking window is open.
  • Have a second date or play in mind in case your first choice disappears.
  • Open the official Rush page a few minutes before 11am and follow its queue instructions.
  • Use a reliable connection and have payment details ready.
  • Read the date and time carefully: Rush purchases are non-transferable under the current rules.
  • Do not pay more on an unofficial resale site for a ticket presented as £5 Rush.
  • If Rush sells out, check ordinary Yard availability. Standard standing tickets can still be good value even when they are not £5.

Is the £5 ticket actually a good experience?

Yes, if you are happy to stand and want the atmosphere of the Yard. You are much closer to the action than many people paying for gallery seats, and the Globe’s thrust stage was designed for an audience surrounding the performers.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed sightline, personal space, shelter or a seat. Taller people can obstruct parts of your view, the Yard can feel busy, and outdoor conditions affect comfort.

Pros

  • A genuine £5 entry price for eligible performances.
  • Close, lively and distinctive view of the stage.
  • Tickets may be released for otherwise sold-out shows.
  • A memorable way to experience Shakespeare in London.

Cons

  • You stand for the entire performance.
  • The Yard is open to the weather.
  • Places are unallocated and sightlines vary.
  • The limited Friday allocation can sell quickly.

Which shows are included?

Rush applies to eligible performances in the Globe Theatre, not automatically to every event run by the organisation. The official page says it does not cover performances in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse or unrelated tours and activities.

The eligible productions and dates can change through the season. Use the weekly list on the Globe’s Rush page as the source of truth rather than assuming every show has a Friday allocation.

If you want a wider choice of discounted shows, compare our TodayTix Rush guide and the theatre’s normal box-office price before paying.

£5 Globe ticket questions

What time are Shakespeare's Globe £5 tickets released?
The limited Rush allocation is released online at 11am every Friday for eligible performances taking place the following Monday through Sunday.
Can £5 tickets appear for a sold-out performance?
Yes. The Globe explicitly says Rush can provide £5 Groundling tickets even for otherwise sold-out shows, but availability is never guaranteed.
Are the £5 tickets seats?
No. They are unallocated standing tickets in the Globe Theatre Yard. Choose another ticket category if you need a seat.
Can I buy at the box office?
The current £5 Rush offer is online only. Follow the official Rush page rather than turning up and expecting the same allocation at the door.
Does joining the queue early guarantee a ticket?
No. The Globe says visitors in the pre-release queue receive a random queue number. Tickets remain first come, first served once booking proceeds and can sell out.
Can children use the Yard?
Production rules and age guidance vary. The Globe says under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. Check the individual show page and consider whether the child can comfortably stand for its full running time.

Source and last check

Offer rules checked on 14 August 2026 using the official Shakespeare’s Globe £5 Rush page. Allocations, eligible productions and terms can change, so confirm the current weekly list before making plans.