🎟️ Tickets and 2026 seasons: how to visit the great stages

Five theaters around the world hold records that remain unbroken to this day. Sydney impresses with its scale, Milan with its acoustics, Verona with its age, and Toronto surprises with two stages in one building. We've rounded up venues that have no equal, and added practical details for each: when the season runs, how much tickets cost, and how to get inside.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

1. Sydney Opera House: the largest mechanical organ

💡 In short:

Five stages in five countries: Sydney, Milan, Verona, New York, and Toronto.
La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera sell tickets in advance; the Arena di Verona season in 2026 runs from June 12 to September 12.
Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the theaters' official websites.

Sydney Opera House and a boat in the harbor

The white "sails" on Bennelong Point opened in 1973 and quickly became a symbol of Australia. Inside there are two main halls and several smaller stages. Every week, more than 40 performances, concerts, and shows take place here (as of 09/2026, theater schedule and tours).

The complex's record is held by the Concert Hall. It houses the world's largest mechanical organ, with 10,154 pipes (as of 09/2026, organ section).

A guided tour shows both the halls and the backstage areas. If you want to go behind the scenes, book the tour in advance: slots sell out weeks ahead.

Cost: guided tours are in the lower double-digit euro range, tickets for evening performances cost more. Check prices and slots on the tours page or in the Tiqets ticket selection.
Getting there: the building stands on Bennelong Point near the Circular Quay piers, about a 10-minute walk from the station of the same name (per the map).
Who it's for: for those who want to see the world's largest organ in person.

2. La Scala in Milan: the benchmark of acoustics

La Scala auditorium with boxes and red seats

Teatro alla Scala opened in 1778, designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini (as of 09/2026, La Scala official website). The science of acoustics did not exist yet, but the hall already had perfect sound.

The irregular oval shape of the hall and the abundance of stucco give singers rare freedom. On the other hand, any false note can be heard from the last row. Performing here means passing an exam.

During World War II the building was destroyed, then rebuilt from the original drawings, exactly as Piermarini had envisioned it. Today it remains Italy's main opera stage.

Tickets on the official website go on sale about two months before a performance. The price depends on the section and date.

Cost: tickets start in the low double digits in euros. Check sections, dates, and prices on the La Scala ticket page.
Dress code: yes, it is enforced. Check the theater's requirements before buying so you are not turned away at the door.
Who it's for: for those who appreciate live sound without amplification and a historic hall.

3. Arena di Verona: the oldest operating theater

Stone steps of the Arena di Verona seating with a view of the city

The oval amphitheater in Verona was built around 30 AD, under Emperor Tiberius (as of 09/2026, Arena di Verona website). Gladiators fought here and bullfights were held.

Since 1913 the Arena has been the main open-air opera venue. The stone steps provide natural acoustics, so amplification is almost unnecessary here.

The 2026 season runs from June 12 to September 12, the 103rd edition of the festival (as of 09/2026, 2026 season dates). Book seats early: for popular operas the stands sell out months in advance.

Cost: tickets start in the low double digits in euros and rise closer to the stage.
Getting there: the Arena stands on Piazza Bra in central Verona, about a 15-minute walk from Verona Porta Nuova station (per the map). You will still have time for a stroll through the center.
Who it's for: for those who want to hear opera under the open sky on ancient stones.

4. Metropolitan Opera: the most modern stage

Metropolitan Opera House facade with five arches at Lincoln Center

New York's Metropolitan Opera holds the title of the world's most technologically advanced stage. As early as 1995, the seats were equipped with a simultaneous translation system in several languages, and that brought new audiences back to the hall.

The chorus and orchestra work here on a permanent basis, while soloists are assembled per project or season. Connoisseurs follow casting as closely as they follow the productions themselves.

The 2026-2027 season includes five new productions, among them a world premiere (as of 09/2026, Metropolitan Opera website). Tickets are already on sale.

Cost: on the day of a performance, rush tickets are sometimes available for $25 (as of 09/2026, rush ticket rules). Book regular seats in advance if you want to choose your section.
Who it's for: for those who want to see world-class new productions.

5. Elgin and Winter Garden: two theaters in one building

Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre facade on the street

In 1913, the flagship cinema of Marcus Loew's chain opened in downtown Toronto. One building housed two stages on different levels. The Elgin Theatre operates downstairs in red and gold tones, and the Winter Garden Theatre is on the seventh floor.

The walls of the Winter Garden were painted with frescoes of plants, the ceiling was decorated with dried leaves, "lanterns" were hung instead of lamps, and "trees" were placed instead of columns. The stage depicts a sky with clouds and a moon.

Both stages were built for vaudeville and silent films. With the arrival of sound, the lower Elgin was converted, while the Winter Garden closed for 60 years. By the 1970s the Elgin had sunk to showing cheap films, and the building was slated for demolition.

The Ontario Heritage Trust stepped in just in time: both theaters were restored and reopened. Today it is the last operating double-decker theater in the world, and tours run 90 minutes (as of 09/2026, theater tour page). In May, during the Doors Open festival, admission is sometimes free.

Schedule: for tour days and prices, see the tour schedule and tickets.
Getting there: address 189 Yonge Street, entrance across from Eaton Centre (see map).
Who it's for: anyone interested in theater history and historic interiors.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to the opera festival in Verona?

The Arena season runs from June through September (as of 09/2026, festival program). In July and August it is hot during the day, so choose evening performances.

How much does it cost to visit the Sydney Opera House?

A guided tour costs in the low double digits in euros, and the backstage tour is more expensive. A ticket for an evening performance depends on the seat and date. For prices and time slots, see the Tours section on the theater's official website, where the online box office also operates.

Is there a dress code at La Scala?

Yes, the theater's halls have a dress code. Neat, modest clothing avoids unnecessary questions at the entrance and on the balcony.

Are rush tickets at the Metropolitan Opera worth it?

Yes, if you are ready for a spontaneous trip. Rush tickets are sold on the day of the performance (as of 09/2026, Metropolitan ticket page). They are released only online and in the theater's app, so it is best to install the app in advance.

Can you get into Elgin and Winter Garden without a performance?

Yes. The 90-minute tours cover the historic lobbies, both auditoriums, and the collection of vaudeville scenery (as of 09/2026, tour description). Days and prices change, so check the schedule on the tours page.

In short: what to book

The five stages cover different needs, and you can choose by city and season. If you want scale, start with Sydney: the organ there can be heard even from the back row. If you are drawn to Italy, add an evening in Verona to Milan.

If you have two weeks for Italy: La Scala in Milan plus opera in Verona.
If you are going to New York: see the new productions of the new season.
If you love history: plan a tour of Elgin and Winter Garden.

Backstage tours in Sydney are easiest to book on Tiqets, and evening performances and tours of historic theaters are best booked on GetYourGuide.

5 Theater stages with records: acoustics, scale, age