The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to $1 billion, drawing massive attention nationwide. Learn how to play, check ticket tips, understand the odds, and get a quick guide before the next big draw.
Georgia Player Claims $980 Million Grand Prize
A Mega Millions ticket sold in Georgia has won the estimated $980 million jackpot from Friday night’s drawing.
The win came as the prize approached the $1 billion mark after weeks of rollovers with no jackpot winner.
According to the Mega Millions website, the ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Nov. 15.
The winning numbers were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57 and the gold Mega Ball 7.
One of the Largest Jackpots in Game History
Before Friday’s drawing, the jackpot had last been won on June 27. This run reached 40 drawings, setting a new record for the game.
The cash value of the prize is estimated at $452.2 million. Winners can choose the lump-sum payment or an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.
How Mega Millions Works
Draw Days and Ticket Price
Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per play and include a multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes up to ten times.
Number Selection
Players pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 24. Quick Picks are available for those who want randomly generated numbers. No citizenship or state residency rules apply when purchasing a ticket.
Prize Tiers
Matching just the Mega Ball wins at least $10. Matching all five white balls pays $2 million in most states.
Where Mega Millions Is Available
The game is played in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The states that do not offer Mega Millions are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores and some airport terminals.
Online options are available through Jackpocket in several states, allowing players to pick numbers, place orders and view tickets on their phones or computers.
Deadlines for Ticket Purchases
The cutoff time for purchasing tickets varies by state. Some stop sales 15 minutes before the drawing, while others close an hour or more earlier.
On third-party apps, deadlines may be even earlier. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey ends ticket orders at 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. drawing.
Odds and Payout Choices
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.
Winners choose between an annuity — with one immediate payment and 29 yearly payments that increase 5% — or a smaller lump-sum cash payout.
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots
1. $1.602 billion — Aug. 8, 2023 (Florida)
2. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018 (South Carolina)
3. $1.348 billion — Jan. 13, 2023 (Maine)
4. $1.337 billion — July 29, 2022 (Illinois)
5. $1.269 billion — Dec. 27, 2024 (California)
6. $1.128 billion — March 26, 2024 (New Jersey)
7. $1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021 (Michigan)
8. $980 million — Nov. 14, 2025 (Georgia)
9. $810 million — Sept. 10, 2024 (Texas)
10. $656 million — March 30, 2012 (Illinois, Kansas, Maryland)
