News writer, Interviewer
Carnival season in the Virgin Islands has always been about culture, rhythm, and good times. This year, the VI Lottery is adding something else to the mix: a chance to win a $500,000 jackpot.
What is the Carnival Cash Explosion?
The EX-91 Carnival Cash Explosion is part of the VI Lottery's special "Extraordinary" drawing series. These premium lottery draws happen a few times a year, timed to major holidays and cultural celebrations. Past EX drawings have included Christmas themes, summer spectaculars, and yes, Carnival Cash. These events are an annual tradition.
EX-91 is the latest in a long line of big-ticket events. The number says it all: this series has been running for a long time.
The prizes
The grand prize is $500,000. That's not a typo.
Other major cash prizes include $90,000, $70,000, $50,000, and $30,000. But buy a full sheet of tickets, and you're also eligible for bonus prizes:
- Luxury weekend getaway to Puerto Rico.
- $3,000 Carnival shopping spree.
- VI Lottery Carnival VIP Access Gift Basket.
- 2026 Chevy Equinox.
Total cash and prizes across the drawing: $1 million.
How to play
Tickets are $2.00 each or $50.00 for a full sheet. Individual tickets are available now at any VI Lottery office or authorized dealer. Keep in mind that the full sheet is what unlocks those bonus prizes.
Drawing date: Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The Carnival in the Garden event
Before the drawing, there's a party. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 10 am to 3 pm, the VI Lottery is hosting Carnival in the Garden: a full-on celebration where you can buy tickets, spin the Money Machine Game, win raffle prizes, and grab a plate from food vendors on-site.
There's also a mini parade featuring Mocko Jumbies, dancers, and majorettes, plus DJ-provided music. It's Carnival, after all.
A quick note on the odds
One in eight people who play the VI Lottery walk away with a win. That's a meaningful number. Not everyone will hit the grand prize, of course, but every ticket has a shot at part of that $1 million pool.
Why the VI Lottery matters
The VI Lottery isn't just a game. It's the oldest continuously operating lottery in the United States, established in 1937. The very first drawing was held on January 25, 1938, at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas. That history runs deep, and so does its connection to Carnival.
This year's EX-91 drawing continues a tradition that ties community celebration to real opportunity. Whether you're playing for the grand prize, a shopping spree, or a new car, the Carnival Cash Explosion is worth a ticket.
