Mega Millions is one of the two major multi-state lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. Mega Millions drawings are held twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. So the quick answer is that Mega Millions drawings occur two nights per week, every Tuesday and Friday evening.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at the Mega Millions lottery, including its drawing schedule, jackpot information, and how to play. Whether you are a regular player or just curious to learn more, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about how many nights Mega Millions occurs each week.
Overview of Mega Millions
Mega Millions is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and is offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The minimum Mega Millions jackpot starts at $40 million and grows until it is won. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018.
To play Mega Millions, players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers. The first five numbers range from 1-70, while the Mega Ball number ranges from 1-25. Players can either pick their own numbers using a playslip or opt for a quick pick and have the numbers randomly generated by the lottery terminal.
It costs $2 per Mega Millions play. Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes by adding the Megaplier option for an additional $1 per play. The Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prize amounts by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x.
Mega Millions Drawing Schedule
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. The drawings take place at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here is an overview of the Mega Millions drawing schedule each week:
- Tuesday drawing at 11:00 pm ET
- Friday drawing at 11:00 pm ET
So in summary, Mega Millions drawings occur twice per week, each Tuesday and Friday night. There are 104 regular Mega Millions drawings held annually.
In rare cases, the Mega Millions drawing schedule may be altered due to holidays. For example, if Christmas Eve or Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday or Friday, the drawing for that evening would likely be rescheduled for an earlier date that week. Lottery officials provide advance notice when any drawing schedule changes occur.
Changes to the Mega Millions Drawing Schedule
When Mega Millions originally launched in 1996, drawings were only held once per week on Friday evenings. In 2002, the lottery added a Tuesday drawing so that drawings occurred twice per week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Here is a brief history of changes to the Mega Millions drawing schedule:
- Launched in 1996 with drawings only on Fridays
- In 2002, drawings added on Tuesdays
- Since 2002, drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays
The dual drawings on Tuesday and Friday nights have remained consistent since 2002. This schedule provides players with two opportunities per week to win the Mega Millions jackpot.
Some industry experts speculate that Mega Millions may consider adding more drawings per week in the future, similarly to Powerball which draws three nights per week. However, Mega Millions has not yet announced any plans to expand beyond the long-standing two drawings per week.
Mega Millions Jackpots
The minimum starting Mega Millions jackpot is $40 million and continues growing based on ticket sales until it is won. All 46 Mega Millions jurisdictions must unanimously agree to increase the starting jackpot amount.
Some key facts about Mega Millions jackpots:
- Jackpots start at $40 million minimum
- The jackpot grows each drawing until won
- The annual raise is based on sales forecasts
- There is no jackpot cap (no maximum amount)
The following table summarizes the top 10 biggest Mega Millions jackpot amounts to date:
| Rank | Date | Winning Numbers | Jackpot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/23/2018 | 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 MB: 5 | $1.537 billion |
| 2 | 1/22/2021 | 10, 19, 26, 28, 50 MB: 16 | $1.050 billion |
| 3 | 7/29/2022 | 13, 36, 45, 57, 67 MB: 14 | $1.337 billion |
| 4 | 3/30/2012 | 2, 4, 23, 38, 46 MB: 23 | $656 million |
| 5 | 7/8/2016 | 8, 19, 20, 55, 73 MB: 5 | $536 million |
| 6 | 3/18/2014 | 9, 14, 24, 30, 47 MB: 21 | $414 million |
| 7 | 12/17/2013 | 22, 30, 31, 33, 48 MB: 10 | $648 million |
| 8 | 11/28/2012 | 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 MB: 6 | $378 million |
| 9 | 8/22/2017 | 20, 46, 49, 61, 69 MB: 10 | $758 million |
| 10 | 2/11/2015 | 9, 17, 18, 41, 56 MB: 12 | $564 million |
As the table shows, Mega Millions jackpots can grow to staggering amounts in the hundreds of millions and even more than $1 billion. Players dreaming of life-changing riches continue flocking to play twice per week, every Tuesday and Friday night.
Odds of Winning Mega Millions
The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize amount, including the jackpot, depend on the total number of number combinations. With players choosing 5 numbers from 1 to 70 plus 1 Mega Ball number from 1 to 25, the total number of combinations is 302,575,350.
The Mega Millions odds are as follows for each prize:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| $1 million (Match 5 + 0) | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| $10,000 (Match 4 + MB) | 1 in 931,001 |
| $500 (Match 4 + 0) | 1 in 38,792 |
| $200 (Match 3 + MB) | 1 in 14,547 |
| $10 (Match 3 + 0) | 1 in 606 |
| $5 (Match 2 + MB) | 1 in 721 |
| $2 (Match 1 + MB) | 1 in 91 |
| $1 (Match 0 + MB) | 1 in 37 |
As you can see, matching all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball to win the jackpot has odds of 1 in 302 million. A player’s chances increase significantly for smaller prize tiers like matching just the Mega Ball. But of course, players still only have two chances per week to win any Mega Millions prize.
Strategies for Playing Mega Millions
While winning the Mega Millions jackpot largely comes down to chance, there are some strategies players employ when choosing numbers:
- Birthdays: Using significant dates like birthdates or anniversaries
- Lucky numbers: Repeating your favorite lucky numbers
- Numerology: Selecting numbers that add up to an important number
- Quick Pick: Letting the computer randomly select your numbers
- High/low mix: Mixing high and low numbers, odd and even
- Patterns: Choosing numbers in geometric patterns or shapes
Other tips for Mega Millions players:
- Take advantage of the Megaplier to increase non-jackpot prizes
- Pool your tickets with friends or coworkers to afford more number combinations
- Always check your tickets after the drawing on Tuesday and Friday nights
- Sign the back of your ticket after purchasing
- Store tickets safely until the drawing occurs
While strategies cannot change the odds, they can make playing Mega Millions more meaningful. Most importantly, only spend what you can afford on lottery tickets and have fun dreaming big twice per week!
Notable Mega Millions Winners
Since Mega Millions held its first drawing in 2002, the lottery has created hundreds of millionaires across the country. Here are some of the biggest Mega Millions jackpot winners to date:
- SC Anonymous Winner – $1.537 billion on 10/23/2018
- Great Lakes Syndicate – $1.05 billion on 1/22/2021
- Illinois Lottery Winner – $656 million on 3/30/2012
- 8 California Co-workers – $543 million on 7/24/2018
- NC Anonymous Winner – $564 million on 2/11/2015
Interestingly, some recent large jackpots like the $1.337 billion won on 7/29/2022 were actually split between multiple winning tickets across state lines. For massive jackpots, players seem to have better luck pooling their entries in lottery office syndicates or groups.
Even winners of smaller prizes can gain life-changing riches from Mega Millions. For example, a New Jersey man won $273 million on March 5, 2019. A Pennsylvania Lottery retailer earned a $3 million bonus for selling a jackpot-winning ticket in 2021.
Mega Millions has delivered exciting wins to players across the country over the past 20 years. And with drawings twice per week, more giant jackpot winners could be crowned at any time. Players everywhere dream that they could become the lottery’s next big headline!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Mega Millions drawing schedule and game details:
How many times per week is the Mega Millions drawing held?
Mega Millions drawings are held twice per week, every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 pm Eastern Time.
What days are the Mega Millions drawings?
Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.
What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
The Mega Millions drawing is held at 11:00 pm Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Where can I view the Mega Millions drawing?
The Mega Millions drawing is broadcast live from WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. Many local television affiliates air the drawing as well. You can also find drawing results posted online shortly after at the Mega Millions website and lottery websites in participating jurisdictions.
Can the Mega Millions drawing time change?
The time for Mega Millions drawings is unlikely to change. However, if a drawing were to be altered due to a major holiday or unforeseen circumstance, lottery officials would provide notice well in advance.
How often do Mega Millions jackpots roll over?
Since the Mega Millions jackpot starts relatively high at $40 million, it often takes multiple rolls without a jackpot winner for the top prize to grow to record-breaking amounts. Jackpot rollovers typically happen every one to three drawings.
What happens when the Mega Millions jackpot is won?
After the Mega Millions jackpot is won, the prize resets to the $40 million minimum and starts growing again based on ticket sales for the next drawing. The jackpot rolls over again each drawing until one or more winning tickets match all six numbers.
Has Mega Millions ever drawn the same numbers twice?
No, the same six Mega Millions numbers have never been drawn twice. The odds of repeating a number combination are extraordinarily low.
Conclusion
Mega Millions gives players two exciting chances per week to try for a jackpot win that could instantly change their life. Drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. It has consistently maintained this twice-weekly drawing schedule since 2002.
While winning the top Mega Millions prize requires incredible luck, jackpots can grow to staggering amounts of $500 million or more over multiple rolls. Even matching smaller prizes provides the chance to win from $2 up to $1 million. Selecting your numbers using sentimental dates, numerology, or quick pick can enhance the playing experience.
With the next Mega Millions drawing always just days away, players keep dreaming of joining the game’s many big jackpot winners. The twice-weekly drawings give more opportunities to potentially walk away with a fortune or at least have fun trying. Just remember to always play responsibly within your budget.