How to Get Reservations for Tickets to The Oprah Winfrey Show: Be in the Audience

Attend a Live Taping of Oprah!

angela buchanan

Acquiring tickets to a live taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show can be a bit tricky, and may require a bit of patience. The demand for tickets far exceeds the supply, making the process difficult.

Phone Reservations

The Oprah Winfrey Show takes reservations for tickets through phone one day a month, for reservations for the following month. For example, for tickets to shows in May, reservations will be taken on April 17th, from 10am to 4pm, central time. The phone number for the reservation line is (312)591-9222. To find out the day that ticket reservations are being taken each month, you must call the reservation line or check out the website at
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/program/tows_prog_getticks.jhtml. Even on the day they take reservations, you may have to call several times to get through the busy signal.

E-mail Reservations

It's risky but if you are traveling last minute, or have had no luck getting through the phone reservation line, you may be able to make a last minute e-mail reservation. On
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/program/tows_prog_getticks_f.jhtml, there will be a link to e-mail reservations for a specific date they have tickets available for. If there are no links to dates on the website, that means there are no available ticket dates.

Q & A

When is The Oprah Winfrey Show taped?
The show season goes from August through November and then January through May. The weekly taping schedule for the show changes week by week. There are no weekend tapings. When you call the reservation line, they will give you more specific dates and times.

Where is The Oprah Winfrey Show Taped?
Harpo Studios
1058 West Washington, Chicago, IL
Entrance: The audience will enter at 1058 West Washington, at the corner of Carpenter and Washington.
Parking: Street parking and commercial lots are within a short distance of the entrance.

Are there any age requirements to attend The Oprah Winfrey Show?
Yes. You have to be 18, and have a valid picture ID to enter the studio.

How many tickets can I reserve when I call?
You can reserve up to 4 tickets for one taping.

Can I request a show with a specific topic?
No.

Is the studio wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Also, f you have special needs and inform a member of staff, they will assist you.

Will there be a meal break?
No. You should eat beforehand.

How can I change the name on my reservation?
If it is only one member of your party, you can change the name upon your arrival to the studio. If it is more than one member of your party, you must call (312) 633-0808 and speak with a member of the audience department.

Is there a dress code?
No, but white and beige clothing and accessories are discouraged because they can be too reflective of the lighting in the studio.

What aren't I allowed to bring in the studio?
-No gifts, cards, letters, etc.
-No cameras, recorders, cell phones, pagers, etc.
-Don't bring guests that you don't know

Are baggage-check facilities available?
No.

I see tickets for The Oprah Winfrey Show being sold on a website. Should I buy them?
No. These are a scam or a rip-off. It is free to attend a live taping of the show.

Are stand-by or walk-in audience members allowed?
No.


Published by angela buchanan

A freelance writer living outside of Boston.   View profile

  • The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 19 consecutive seasons
  • One day a month, phone reservations are taken for tapings taking place in the following month.
  • Last minute e-mail reservations may be available.
  • make sure to bring a picture ID with you when you arrive at the studio.

27 Comments

Post a Comment
  • Dianne Lockhart 4/7/2011

    Freedom Riders
    also known as the Patriot Guard Riders.
    An organization in every state of the US that supports America's soldiers.
    I am an officer with that organization
    and would like to BE IN THE AUDIENCE to inform America of our organization and ways we support our soldiers.
    (309)453-7921

  • Yvonne Leehelen Dowell 12/29/2010

    I love Oprah! God bless you for writing this article!

  • shelaine johnson 11/22/2010

    i have never been to the show but i would love to go i have been watching oprah for years i would love to go to one show before she is done so help me lpease i just want to see her please

  • Hayley 9/19/2010

    Heey Oprah, I just want to say that I love your show and so does my mom, I am 14 teen years old and ever since i can remeber my mom has been watching your show, and every time I have seen her watch your show she is smiling, until one time I walked in when she was watching your show and she was crying, and it wasn't like a happy cry for all the good things you do it was a sad cry, so being the good daugter I am i asked her what was wrong and she said "Oprah is leaving her show and I just really wanted to see her or be in the wonderful aduience just one time before she leaves" so I guess what i am asking is if you could maybe send some tickets or something or maybe just a call for my mom becuase i just love her so much and i really want to do something spechial for her, so if there is anyway email me at, hayley-rae7@hotmail.com Thanks Hayley :)

  • Jeff Bruno 9/18/2010

    I along with others were guests of your show back in Sep 1996, as you aired the segment of the boy falling in the gorilla exhibit at Brookfield Zoo. Actually , you referred to us as your Angel Team. I was one of the Kankakee Paramedics who helped rescue the young boy. Being this is your last season, I was hoping to see if we could get tickets to come back and visit you. Please let us know. Thank You!!!!

  • Nahid Piloti Hossein 9/14/2010

    I love your show, I am refugee from Afghanistan, my two kids named Sophie & Salomon. My husband currently works with US Army in Afghanistan. Please let me be in one of your shows. Thank you.

  • Mary Moskos 8/10/2010

    My husband and I visited this summer,in July,The Harpo Building,thinking that it would be easy to get in and watch the show.But to our surprise,there was no taping of the show in the summer.We also needed tickets,the guard at the door told us,to see Oprah.We drove all the way from Florida,but it wasn't for nothing.We got to see Oprah's place,we took some pictures and visit The Mugnificent Mile,she so often advertised.Since Oprah is ending her show I wish to see her in person once.
    I'll try to call the phone number you have available,for tickets.

  • Debra M. Moses 6/3/2010

    I would love tickets for the final Oprah show. Worked 35 years, married 31 and the mother of 2 daughters and Me'Me to 3 beautiful grandchildren. This would bring great joy and excitement in my life.

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