This holiday season, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an impressive $825 million, drawing the attention of lottery players nationwide. According to the official Mega Millions website, no tickets were able to match the winning combination of numbers – 56, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 18 – during Tuesday’s draw. However, several fortunate individuals did win by matching five numbers, taking home $1 million each. Notably, two of these winning tickets were sold in California, with one each sold in Louisiana and Oklahoma.
In a stroke of luck for North Carolina players, one ticket matched all five numbers along with the megaplier, securing a prize of $4 million. Other winners also celebrated, with some tickets earning up to $40,000 for matching four regular balls plus the Mega Ball. A total of 38 players won $10,000 each, including three winners from Illinois, as reported by the state’s lottery website.
Looking forward, the next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, December 20, with an estimated prize pool of $825 million. If someone were to win at this level, it would mark the largest jackpot won in December’s history, and it would be the seventh largest ever in the game’s record. December has seen a total of 13 Mega Millions jackpots since the game’s inception in 2002, although none have yet to be won on Christmas Day, despite there being draws held on that date six times in the past.
This year’s Mega Millions has marked a low in jackpot wins, with only three having been claimed so far, making it the fewest in a single year since the game’s debut. The drawing occurs at 10 p.m. CT, and tickets are currently priced at $2, though this price is set to more than double in 2025.
As the jackpot continues to grow, it offers an exciting prospect for players hoping to secure a life-changing win during the holiday season. Whether or not you decide to take part, the anticipation surrounding the Mega Millions adds a festive thrill that many look forward to each year.