News writer
When someone wins millions in the lottery, you might expect them to celebrate with a fancy car, a dream vacation, or a new house. But one Massachusetts winner is making headlines for something entirely different: the name of their trust. And yes, there's a funny story behind it. The Massachusetts State Lottery announced that the Mr. Potato Head Trust of Springfield claimed the record-breaking $29.71 million Megabucks jackpot from the September 7, 2026, drawing.
According to lottery officials, the big Megabucks winner chose the unusual name because someone they know reminds them of Mr. Potato Head. That's right. Someone in the winner's life apparently resembles the famous toy character enough to inspire the name of a multimillion-dollar trust. The lottery didn't reveal who that person is or what makes them look like Mr. Potato Head, leaving that part of the story a mystery.
A jackpot more than 40 years in the making
While the name is getting plenty of attention, the prize itself is one for the record books. The $29.71 million jackpot is the largest Megabucks prize awarded since the Massachusetts Lottery introduced the game in 1982.
The previous record was $21.7 million, won on October 16, 1985. That record stood for more than four decades before the September drawing finally topped it.
The jackpot had been growing for 58 consecutive drawings without a winner before the lucky ticket matched all six numbers.
The trust, represented by trustee Hyman Darling, claimed the prize at Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on October 28. Rather than collect the full jackpot through annual payments, the winner chose a one-time cash payment of $19,635,669 before taxes.
That's more than $19.6 million heading to the trust, even if the actual amount is considerably smaller than the advertised jackpot.
One lucky store gets a bonus, too
The winning ticket was purchased at King Mart, located at 494 Westfield Road in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
For selling the record-breaking ticket, the retailer will receive a $50,000 bonus from the Massachusetts Lottery. While the store's location is public knowledge, the identity of the person behind the Mr. Potato Head Trust hasn't been disclosed.
How to play Massachusetts Megabucks
Megabucks is a progressive jackpot game available only in Massachusetts. To win the top prize, players must match all six numbers drawn.
Players can either pick six of their own numbers between 1 and 44, or they can do a Quick Pick and let the computer generate numbers for them. Tickets cost $2 per play.
Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at participating lottery retailers throughout the state, online at the Massachusetts Lottery website, or through the Mass Lottery mobile app.
The September jackpot now holds the top spot in Megabucks history, surpassing a record that had stood since 1985.
As for the latest winner, they've managed to accomplish two things at once: claim the biggest Megabucks prize ever and give lottery players a trust name they probably won't forget anytime soon.
Enjoy playing the Massachusetts Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
