Frequently Asked Questions

We are thrilled to welcome you back to the War Memorial Opera House for the 2025–26 Season! As you prepare for your visit, we encourage you to browse our frequently asked questions.

Have additional questions?
Call our friendly Box Office at (415) 864-3330.

• Who needs to have a ticket?

  Everyone entering the Opera House, regardless of age, must have a ticket, and children must be seated with an accompanying adult. No lap sitting.

  Please note that we do not allow children under 3, including babes in arms.

• Is there an age recommendation for attending an opera?

  To ensure an enjoyable and relaxed experience for everyone, we recommend that children be at least 8 years old. Programs are often more than two and a half hours long and are not always ideal for younger children.

  Please note that we do not allow children under 3, including babes in arms.

• How will I receive my tickets?

  Tickets for the 2025–26 Season will be mailed in August 2025. Patrons may also access their tickets on their mobile device via the San Francisco Opera app.

• What is your refund policy?

  Cast, programs, prices, and schedules are subject to change. If you can’t use your tickets, please consider exchanging, donating, or giving them to friends and family.

  Please call the Box Office at least two hours before your performance, and they will work with you to exchange your tickets into another performance. If San Francisco Opera has to cancel a performance for any reason, we will offer full refunds.

  Otherwise, all ticket sales are final and there are no refunds.

• What is your exchange policy?

  Exchanges can be made up to 2 hours before the performance by calling the Box Office at (415) 864-3330. All exchanges are subject to availability and any price differential may apply when exchanging into alternate dates.
  
  Exchanges within 2 hours of the performance are not allowed. If you are unable to exchange your tickets within two hours of the performance, call the Box Office at (415) 864-3330 before the performance begins to return tickets for a tax-deductible donation.

• Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

  Our dedicated Box Office team is available to assist patrons by phone at (415) 864-3330. Please Click here for hours of operation. You may also email patronservices@sfopera.com. To donate by phone, call (415) 565-3212.

• Can I buy tickets at the Box Office window?

  Yes, you can buy tickets at the Box Office Window during business hours. You can also order online or over the phone at (415) 864-3330. Please Click here for hours of operation.

• How can I make a donation?

  You can make a gift online at https://www.sfopera.com/give/. For questions you can contact us at (415) 565-3212 or donorservices@sfopera.com.

• Will there be a rush ticket program this season?

  We are offering rush tickets for select performances during the 2025-26 season. Please visit sfopera.com/rush and sign up to be notified when rush tickets become available.

• Will there be BRAVO! tix this season?

  Yes!  When available, information about this offering can be found here.

• What is your Late Seating policy?

  The Opera House opens one hour before curtain. All performances begin promptly at their scheduled times. Latecomers are seated at first intermission. Please note: not all performances have an intermission. There is no seating during the performance. Latecomers, as well as those who leave the theater during the performance, may be seated at the discretion of management. If you do arrive late, you can relax with food and drink in one of our bars and watch the performance on the monitor or in the theater in the standing room section.

• How does Standing Room work?

  We offer 200 tickets to stand in the rear orchestra or the rear balcony for mainstage opera performances in the War Memorial Opera House. Standing tickets are $10 and they are CASH ONLY.  They go on sale the day of each performance and are limited to two per person.  We sell the first 150 tickets starting at 10am and hold the last 50 for sale two hours prior to the performance.

  
  Please note that standing room tickets will not be available for The Barber of Seville Encounter on June 17, 2026 and are subject to availability.

• How do I join a walking group?

  Civic Center Ambassadors wearing orange jackets will lead walking groups to the Civic Center and UC Law SF garages,  15 minutes after the conclusion of evening performances. They will be on the north side of the main entrance steps on Van Ness holding a sign.

• What are the Patron Wheelchair Assistance Guidelines?

   

  Patron Wheelchair Assistance Guidelines

  • The War Memorial Complex is unable to provide patrons with a wheelchair or personal assistance to navigate around the Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall or the Veterans Building venues. 
  • If you will be arriving in a wheelchair, and require assistance with activities of daily living, including transferring to and from a wheelchair, your caregiver will be granted un-seated entry to assist you and then wait in the lobby for the performance to conclude. 
  • Only in the case of unforeseen medical needs can our house EMTs provide medical assistance and/or transport. 

   

• What performances have OperaVision?

  OperaVision, HD video projection screens featured in the Balcony level, is available during the first three performances of each production.

• When does the lobby close?

  The War Memorial Opera House lobbies close 30 minutes following the end of a performance/event. We kindly request that all patrons exit the building by that time as the doors will be locked. Please keep this in mind when arranging transportation.

  Patrons waiting for transportation after the lobbies close will be directed to wait outside of the North Stage Door in the north courtyard at Franklin Street, near Fulton Street.