The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to nearly $1 billion during this holiday season, reaching a staggering $944 million (with a cash option of $429.4 million). The exciting draw is set to take place on Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve.
The jackpot skyrocketed after no ticket matched the winning numbers last Friday: the white balls 2, 20, 51, 56, and 67, along with the golden Mega Ball 19. "If won at this level, it would be the largest prize ever awarded in December and the seventh largest in Mega Millions history," highlighted the lottery’s website.
Since the game began in 2002, December has seen 13 Mega Millions jackpots won, but only once on Christmas Eve. This occurred in the inaugural year when a ticket purchased in New York won $68 million, a prize that went unclaimed.
In the most recent draw, held on Friday, December 20, the jackpot stood at $825 million but went unclaimed. However, five tickets matched the five white balls to win $1 million each, the game's second-tier prize. These lucky tickets were sold in Indiana (2), Arkansas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
This year, there have been only three Mega Millions jackpot wins, marking the fewest in a single year since the game's inception. The most recent win was on September 10 when a player in Texas claimed $800 million. Prior to that, on June 4, a $552 million prize was the largest ever awarded to an online player. The year's first win happened on March 26 with a staggering $1.128 billion jackpot in New Jersey, which remains unclaimed.
The lottery draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. Tickets are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with overall odds of winning any prize being 1 in 24. Currently priced at two dollars, tickets will more than double in cost starting April 2025.
In August, lottery officials announced the ticket price increase from two to five dollars, aiming to enhance the odds of hitting the jackpot, boost exceptional prizes, and achieve even larger payouts.
Key Facts About the Mega Millions Jackpot
What is the current Mega Millions jackpot amount?
The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $944 million with a cash option of $429.4 million.
How often are Mega Millions drawings held?
Mega Millions drawings occur twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET.
When will the price of Mega Millions tickets increase?
The ticket price will increase from two to five dollars starting in April 2025.