This holiday season, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an impressive $825 million, attracting significant attention from lottery players across the nation. The latest drawing, which took place on Tuesday, revealed that no ticket was able to match the winning numbers—56, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 18—needed to secure the jackpot. However, a handful of fortunate players did manage to match five numbers, resulting in substantial prizes. Two tickets sold in California, alongside one each in Louisiana and Oklahoma, won $1 million for matching five numbers.
In North Carolina, one ticket achieved an even greater feat by matching all five numbers plus the megaplier, bringing home $4 million. Moreover, several tickets won prizes as high as $40,000 by matching four numbers plus the Mega Ball, while 38 other tickets secured $10,000 each, including three from Illinois.
Looking ahead, the estimated prize for the next Mega Millions drawing scheduled for Friday, December 20, sits at an exciting $825 million. Should someone win at this level, it will mark the largest jackpot ever won in December and the seventh largest in the history of Mega Millions, according to lottery officials. Since the launch of the game in 2002, there have only been 13 jackpots won in December, the majority occurring prior to Christmas.
Interestingly, while Christmas Day drawings have taken place six times over the years—specifically in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2020—there has yet to be a jackpot winner on that holiday. Furthermore, this year has seen only three Mega Millions jackpots claimed, marking it as the fewest wins in a single year since the game’s inception.
The Mega Millions drawing occurs at 10 p.m. CT every Friday, with ticket prices set at $2 each, although it’s important to note that prices will increase more than double in 2025.
This surge in the jackpot offers a glimmer of hope and excitement, especially during the festive season, reminding players that dreams can come true, and that someone out there will inevitably take home life-changing winnings.