All news

Mega Millions jackpot soars to half a billion

Get ready to dream big.

The Mega Millions logo over a sky blue background.
Samantha Herscher

The Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed to a staggering $535 million ahead of Friday night's drawing. 

It's been a lucky year for Mega Millions players, with two jackpot wins already in 2024. One lucky winner in March took home a massive $1.128 billion, followed by another jackpot win in June worth $552 million.

How to play Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10 p.m. CT. To win the jackpot, you must match all six numbers drawn: five balls numbered 1 to 70, and one ball numbered 1 to 25. If you're lucky enough to hit the jackpot, you have 180 days to claim your prize. And if more than one player holds a winning ticket, the jackpot is split evenly among them.

The jackpot resets to $20 million after each win. Ticket sales cut off at 9:45 p.m. CT on the night of the drawing, and tickets cost $2 per play.

For an extra $1, you can purchase the Megaplier option, which can multiply your non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times.

While there's no guaranteed way to win the Mega Millions jackpot, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances:

  • Play regularly: The more you play, the more opportunities you'll have to win.
  • Use a lottery wheel: A lottery wheel can help you generate a larger number of combinations.
  • Join a lottery pool: Pooling your resources with other players can increase your chances of winning a large jackpot.

Enjoy playing Mega Millions, and please play responsibly. 

Millionaires made

This year has been a lucky one for Mega Millions players. In June, a lucky Illinois iLottery winner claimed a $552 million jackpot, the largest ever won through iLottery in U.S. history.

And in California, two jackpot-winning tickets were sold at the same Chevron gas station, resulting in a record-breaking bonus check for the retailer.

A look back at previous winners

Mega Millions has produced several massive jackpot winners over the years. Here are some of the most notable:

  • $1.602 billion (August 2023): A single winning ticket was sold in Florida, claiming the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history.
  • $1.537 billion (October 2018): An anonymous player in South Carolina won this massive jackpot.
  • $1.348 billion (January 2023): A lucky winner in Maine took home this prize.
  • $1.337 billion (July 2022): A ticket purchased in Illinois won this jackpot.
  • $1.128 billion (March 2024): A New Jersey resident claimed this jackpot.

Other mega wins

In addition to the massive jackpots, Mega Millions has also produced numerous other large winners. For example, in 2019, a group of office pool players in California won $543 million. And in 2018, a New Jersey man won $533 million.

Want to play? Grab a ticket, cross your fingers, and dream big. You could be the next lucky winner.

Related games

Comments

0
Loading comments

Related articles

A screen capture of the security procedures that take place before a modern Melate, Revancha, and Revanchita draw.
The $8M Mexican lottery heist that fooled a nation—almost

The mistake that unraveled a multi-million-dollar lottery heist.

Alex Cramer profile pic

Alex Cramer

E & C VA, located at 14878 Northumberland Highway in Burgess, Heathsville, Virginia.
$348M Mega Millions win makes history in Virginia

Virginia helped create the game in 1996, and now it's back on top with the biggest Mega Millions jackpot win.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The Publix in Stuart, Florida.
Florida Publix strikes again with $1K-a-day Cash4Life lottery ticket

A Stuart shopper scored big in the June 23 drawing as Publix racks up a fourth major win in 2025.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The Michigan Lottery Super Raffle logo over a black background.
Michigan Lottery launches biggest raffle prize in history

Michigan Lottery's $6 million Super Raffle returns with premium $50 tickets targeting high-roller players.

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

Recent articles

View All
The nine Camden County winners holding their $746,853 Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot check.
Nine friends hit the lottery jackpot after a Wawa switch-up

They've played for five years, but decided to swap where they bought their tickets and won a $746K jackpot.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

A table with hotdogs, american flags, and a Lucky for Life play slip.
Don't declare independence from your numbers — July 4 draws are on

Drawings won't take the day off, but your prize claim may have to wait until after the parade.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Hutto Food Mart in Holly Hill, South Carolina.
Multi-store lottery fraud scheme unraveled in South Carolina

An Orangeburg man faces lottery fraud charges for allegedly passing stolen scratch-offs.

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

The South Carolina Lottery claim center in Columbia.
Swipe to play? South Carolina Lottery adds debit option for ticket buyers

Retailers can opt in, but some say card fees may not be worth the jackpot.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold