Come on Down! Here’s How to Get Picked to Be a Contestant onThe Price Is Right

Mar. 15, 2025

Drew Carey with a winner on ‘The Price Is Right’.Photo:Sara Mally/CBS via Getty Images

Sara Mally/CBS via Getty Images

The Price Is Rightcontestants are chosen with a little bit of luck and lots of passion for the value of everyday products.

At the start of each episode, the longtime game show challenges four random contestants from its studio audience to bid on the retail price of daily items. The winner goes on to compete in another price-guessing contest for a chance to win big. After six players have competed, the top two face off in the “Showcase Showdown” to clinch the final prize.

Bob Barkerhosted the competitive series for over three decades until 2007, when he retired andDrew Careytook over. The actor told PEOPLE that he initially turned down the offer to leadThe Price Is Rightbut changed his mind because he enjoyed the sentiment behind it.

“One of the show’s producers asked mewhat my favorite thing to do was,” he told PEOPLE in March 2024. “I go, ‘I love leaving big tips when I go to restaurants.’ ‘Well, if you work onThe Price Is Right, you’ll be able to do that all the time for a living,’ they said.”

From the eligibility requirements to securing taping tickets and making a good impression on producers, here’s how to be a contestant on CBS’ game show,The Price Is Right.

What are the requirements to get onThe Price Is Right?

Drew Cary interacting with ‘The Price Is Right’ studio audience.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

SinceThe Price Is Rightselects its contestants randomly from the studio audience, the first step to potentially compete on the game show is to attend.

Tickets are available “about a month in advance” of tapings via theOn Camera Audienceswebsite. Aspiring contestants must submit an inquiry for a specific show date and time to try to secure admission.

To apply, potential contestants have to be at least 18 years old. The form asks for personal information such as name, email address and phone number. After submitting, folks have to wait to be notified if they got the tickets.

Additional jurisdictions could prohibit participants from being chosen. Those who have appeared onThe Price Is Rightin the past 10 years or have been on four or more game shows in the past 10 years cannot participate. Candidates running for office are also excluded.

How much are the tickets toThe Price Is Right?

Drew Carey hosting the ‘The Price Is Right.'.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

Tickets toThe Price Is Rightare free, and two to three shows are recorded daily, according to the On Camera Audiences website.

After fans submit a ticket inquiry, they will receive an email stating whether they received a Priority ticket, Line Voucher or spot on the waitlist.

Having a Priority ticket means that entrance is fully guaranteed. On the contrary, those given a Line Voucher will be admitted to the general admission queue on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, admission to the taping is more likely if attendees arrive early.

Before heading out the door, though, guests must leave behind their cell phones and smartwatches. They’ll also need an ID and closed-toed shoes.

If viewers want to attend more than one taping per day, they’ll need to ask about availability when checking in to the event.

How do you get picked to be onThe Price Is Right?

Bob Barker speaking to the studio audience during his last taping of “The Price is Right” show on June 6, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.Mark Davis/Getty Images

Mark Davis/Getty Images

Over 300 audience members are admitted during tapings, and only nine are called up for a chance to play games and win prizes. Those who are selected typically stand out from the crowd and make a good impression on production beforeThe Price Is Rightbegins taping, perLiveAbout.com.

FormerThe Price Is Rightcontestant Dainon Haggard revealedon LinkedInthat his “enthusiasm” helped land him a spot to play on the show. After being called in for his brief conversation with a producer, Haggard said he had roughly “5 seconds to catch their attention.”

“I remember jumping up and down, almost yelling my response back to the producer who sat just 15 feet in front of me in a tall Hollywood director’s chair,” he recalled. “I was determined to get on the game show.”

Making a memorable impression during the short interviews with production is only one way contestants can heighten their chances of being called down to play onThe Price Is Right.

Speaking toNew York Postin 2013, former longtime producer Stan Blits shared that he approached and interviewed attendees waiting in line.

“I am looking for energy, sincerity and potential humor,” he said. “And if they can equal my energy or exceed it and maintain it, they are at the top of the list.”

DoThe Price Is Rightcontestants get paid?

Bob Barker hosting ‘The Price Is Right.’.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The Price Is Rightcontestants are not paid, but they have the chance to win money and varying prizes.

If a player wins it big, they must fill out the necessary paperwork, including tax forms. According toNerdWallet, cash prizes, merch, cars and vacations can be taxed.

source: people.com