This holiday season, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an impressive $825 million, enticing players with the chance to win big. In the latest drawing this Tuesday, no tickets matched all six winning numbers—56, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 18—meaning the jackpot continues to grow. However, several lucky players did manage to match five numbers, with two winning tickets sold in California and one each in Louisiana and Oklahoma, each earning a $1 million prize.
In a notable highlight, a ticket sold in North Carolina not only matched all five numbers but also included the megaplier, leading to a $4 million payout. Additionally, some players received prizes as large as $40,000 by matching four regular numbers plus the Mega Ball. The drawing also saw 38 tickets win $10,000 each, with several sold across Illinois.
Looking ahead, the next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, December 20th, with an estimated jackpot of $825 million. If won, this would be the largest December prize ever and the seventh largest in the history of Mega Millions, with a cash option of $382.2 million available to the winner.
Notably, December has seen 13 Mega Millions jackpots since the game’s inception in 2002, with most wins occurring prior to Christmas. Despite six drawings taking place on Christmas in previous years, there has yet to be a jackpot win on that day.
So far this year, only three Mega Millions jackpots have been claimed, marking it as the fewest wins in a single year since the game began. As the excitement builds for the upcoming drawing, players are reminded that tickets cost $2 each, although this will rise significantly in 2025.
With the potential for life-changing prizes, the Mega Millions continues to bring a slice of hope and excitement to the holiday season for lottery players across the country. Whether you play or not, the anticipation around such a large jackpot serves to unite communities in the thrill of possibility.