The EuroMillions is one of the most popular lottery games in Europe. Players from across the continent take part in this exciting twice-weekly draw in the hopes of becoming an instant multi-millionaire. With jackpots frequently exceeding €100 million, it’s no wonder that EuroMillions captures the dreams of so many.
But how often exactly is EuroMillions held? When can you buy a ticket? And when do the draws take place? This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the EuroMillions schedule, so you’ll know exactly when you can try your luck at this legendary pan-European game.
How the EuroMillions Works
Before getting into the specifics of the EuroMillions schedule, let’s first review the basic rules and format of the game:
– EuroMillions is coordinated by nine participating national lotteries across Europe. These include the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
– To play, participants must select five main numbers from 1-50 and two “Lucky Star” numbers from 1-12. This creates a total possible combination of 139,838,160.
– The jackpot starts at a guaranteed €17 million and can roll over up to twelve draws before reaching a cap of €220 million. Once the cap is reached, any excess prize money rolls down to the next tier.
– There are thirteen prize tiers in total, with payouts for matching various combinations of numbers. Even matching just two main numbers can win a participant their money back.
– Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 8 pm UTC in Paris. This corresponds to 9 pm CET. Results are announced shortly after.
– Tickets can be purchased in authorized retail outlets or online via accredited lottery websites. Sales cut-off times vary slightly by location but are generally around 7:30 pm local time on the night of the draw.
Now that we’ve reviewed the basics, let’s look at the all-important EuroMillions schedule.
EuroMillions Draw Days
EuroMillions draws are always held on Tuesdays and Fridays. This results in 104 annual draws (52 weeks x 2 draw days). The only exceptions are if Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve falls on a Tuesday or Friday, in which case the draw may be postponed by one day.
Here is the typical weekly schedule:
Tuesday: Ticket sales close at 7:30 pm local time; Draw held at 9 pm CET in Paris
Friday: Ticket sales close at 7:30 pm local time; Draw held at 9 pm CET in Paris
This consistent biweekly schedule gives players two opportunities every week to play EuroMillions. It builds anticipation and excitement before each draw while also giving just the right amount of time in between to prepare for the next chance.
The EuroMillions schedule does not change for holidays or events, with the rare exceptions noted above. Draws proceed as scheduled even on major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. So devoted EuroMillions fans always know exactly when to check results and never have to miss an opportunity to play.
When Can Tickets Be Purchased?
EuroMillions tickets can only be purchased during the sales period leading up to each draw. Sales open immediately after the previous draw takes place. Here is an overview of the typical sales schedule in local time:
Tuesday Draw:
– Tuesday ticket sales open after Friday draw finishes, around 9:30 pm local time
– Tuesday sales close at 7:30 pm local time
– Tuesday draw at 9 pm CET
Friday Draw:
– Friday ticket sales open after Tuesday draw finishes, around 9:30 pm local time
– Friday sales close at 7:30 pm local time
– Friday draw at 9 pm CET
As you can see, there is a gap of almost two full days between when ticket sales open and when sales close each week. This gives players a nice big window to buy their tickets.
Sales are only closed for a short period between the cutoff and when the draw takes place to allow for all ticket purchases to be processed. Once the results are announced, the cycle starts again for the next draw.
Some key things to remember about EuroMillions ticket buying:
– Retail outlet hours may limit in-person sales, so check vendor closing times
– Online sales remain open until cutoff and are recommended for convenience
– Tickets for a draw cannot be purchased after the sales cutoff time
– Cutoff times are generally 7:30 pm local time but may vary slightly by location
Planning ahead and buying tickets well before the sales cutoff is recommended to avoid any risk of missing out.
EuroMillions Draw Schedule Summary
To summarize the frequency of EuroMillions draws:
– Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday night at 9 pm CET in Paris
– This results in 104 annual draws (barring holiday date shifts)
– Ticket sales open after the previous draw and close roughly two days later at around 7:30 pm local time
– Draws are only postponed or rescheduled on rare occasions for holidays
– The consistent biweekly schedule provides regular opportunities to play
So for those hoping to participate, be sure to buy your EuroMillions tickets every Tuesday and Friday during the designated sales period leading up to the 9 pm CET draw. Check results soon after to see if you are the lucky winner!
When EuroMillions Rollovers Occur
One other key aspect of the EuroMillions schedule to consider is rollover draws. Rollovers occur when the EuroMillions jackpot is not won during a draw. This causes the top prize to “roll over” to increase the jackpot for the next draw.
Here is how EuroMillions rollovers work:
– If no players match all 5 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars, the jackpot rolls over
– Rollovers continue for up to eleven consecutive draws without a winner
– If no winner after eleven draws, the 12th draw has a “must-be-won” jackpot
– Once the jackpot reaches €220 million, excess rolls down to lower prize tiers
– Big jackpot rollovers attract extra attention and ticket sales
Rollover draws are the most exciting, as the jackpots can grow monumentally high. There have been instances of EuroMillions jackpots rolling over for months before a winner was finally declared.
The longest EuroMillions rollover streak was fourteen draws in 2019 before a jackpot of €190 million was won. The odds of winning increase slightly with each rollover, as the jackpot must be won in the twelfth draw. But it is still extremely challenging to match all seven numbers.
Rollovers are purely chance-based but add an extra element of anticipation to the regular EuroMillions schedule. Be sure to pay attention when jackpots start rolling over, as that signals growing prizes up for grabs!
Special EuroMillions Events and Draws
In addition to the regular Tuesday and Friday draws, EuroMillions occasionally hosts special event draws with guaranteed jackpots or extra prizes:
– Mega Friday – On the last Friday of September, November, February, and May, the minimum jackpot is boosted to €130 million.
– Mega Weeks – During Mega Weeks in March and October, jackpots start at €17 million and every draw that week has a guaranteed €130 million Super Jackpot.
– EuroMillions Superdraws – On select draw dates, Superdraws are held with a guaranteed €130 million jackpot and extra lower-tier prizes.
– UK Millionaire Maker – UK players are automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win £1 million. Held whenever the EuroMillions jackpot rolls over.
– El Gordo – The Spanish EuroMillions game held around Christmas with big prizes.
– French My Million – French players get a raffle code for a chance to win €1 million with every line played.
These special draws help increase interest and participation in EuroMillions. The boosted starting jackpots ensure extra excitement on top of the regular biweekly draws.
When the EuroMillions Draw Takes Place
EuroMillions draws are always held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 21:00 UTC in Paris. This corresponds to:
– UK: 9 pm
– Spain: 10 pm
– Austria: 10 pm
– Belgium: 10 pm
– Switzerland: 10 pm
– Portugal: 9 pm
– Ireland: 9 pm
– France: 10 pm
– Luxembourg: 10 pm
The draw is conducted by authorized officials under secure, audited conditions. Players can watch the drawing live stream online to view the winning numbers being selected.
Here is an overview of how the EuroMillions draw takes place:
1. Ball machines are checked and loaded
Prior to the draw, the lottery ball machines are inspected and loaded with numbered lottery balls corresponding to the game. For EuroMillions, the machines are loaded with balls numbered 1-50 and 1-12.
2. Tests are conducted to ensure randomness
Draw officials perform tests on the machines to confirm proper mixing and randomization. Multiple test draws are conducted.
3. The draw room is secured
Once testing concludes, the room is cleared and secured by officials. Nobody else is allowed to enter to ensure full integrity.
4. Draw machines are activated
At exactly 9 pm CET, the ball machines are turned on to begin the selection of balls for that date’s winning numbers.
5. Five main numbers are drawn
Five numbered balls between 1-50 are drawn sequentially to establish the five main winning numbers.
6. Two Lucky Star numbers are drawn
Next, two balls are drawn from the Lucky Star machine containing balls numbered 1-12. This creates the full winning number combination.
7. Numbers are verified and announced
Officials confirm the drawn numbers match the balls selected by the machines. The numbers are then immediately broadcast and winners can be identified.
Knowing exactly when the EuroMillions draw takes place each Tuesday and Friday allows players to watch the action live as the winning jackpot numbers are determined. Tune in right at 9 pm CET to see the draw as it happens!
What Time Are EuroMillions Results Announced?
Once the EuroMillions draw is completed at 9 pm CET each Tuesday and Friday, the winning numbers are quickly verified and results are announced. This typically happens within 5-10 minutes of the draw concluding.
Results are disseminated through:
– Official EuroMillions websites and mobile apps
– Television stations across participating countries
– EuroMillions social media accounts
– Online media outlets
– Retail vendors
Results remain available following the draw on all these platforms. Some key times to be aware of for checking EuroMillions results:
– 9:05 pm CET – Initial results start being posted online and on apps
– 9:15 pm CET – Results generally available across most media channels
– 10 pm CET – Televised results shows finish broadcasting numbers
– 11 pm CET – Deadline in some countries to claim winnings from retail vendors
As soon as fifteen minutes after the balls are drawn, eager EuroMillions participants can see that night’s winning jackpot numbers. This short turnaround time allows lucky ticketholders to start celebrating right away!
Be aware that vendors do have cutoff times to claim prizes, which vary by location but tend to be around two hours after the results. So check those numbers promptly!
Ways to Check EuroMillions Results
There are multiple convenient ways players can check EuroMillions results following each draw:
– Official EuroMillions Website – Visit euro-millions.com and click your country for full prize breakdowns.
– Mobile App – Download the EuroMillions app for instant push notifications and results.
– Retail Vendor – Take your ticket to a shop where EuroMillions is sold. Staff can check numbers.
– Lottery Email/SMS – Sign up for free emails or texts with results from your local lottery.
– TV Broadcasts – Televised EuroMillions draw shows announce numbers.
– Social Media – Follow EuroMillions Facebook and Twitter for fast results posts.
– News Outlets – Check online news sites and papers for results summaries.
– Winner Alerts – Some lotteries let you save your numbers to alert you if you win!
Be sure to use reputable official sources to check results accurately. With multiple options available, EuroMillions makes it simple to instantly see results and confirm if you have won!
Days When EuroMillions Results are Delayed
The vast majority of the time, EuroMillions results are announced within 10-15 minutes of the draw concluding at 9 pm CET without any delays. However, occasionally technical issues can cause a short lag. Results may also be slightly delayed around major holidays.
Here are some situations when EuroMillions results may take slightly longer to be announced:
– Technical difficulties with the drawing machines or ball sets
– Problems verifying drawn numbers against ball sets
– Issues with results transmission systems
– Validation processes requiring extra time
– Staff shortages around major holidays
– Pre-planned maintenance or software updates
Delays are generally rare and still tend to be under an hour in most cases. Officials work quickly to resolve any glitches. Announcements will be made via official channels if longer delays are anticipated.
If anticipating a delay, players should avoid non-official sources, as inaccurate numbers may circulate. Check directly with lotteries or trusted outlets for the official verified results.
Despite best efforts, draws may be postponed to the following day in exceptional circumstances. Again, this is very rare, but players should be prepared in case an emergency postponement is unavoidable.
Can EuroMillions Results Be Verified?
All EuroMillions results go through intensive verification processes before being declared official. This ensures accuracy and fairness for all players.
Here is how EuroMillions results are verified:
1. Drawn balls are checked against machines
After the balls are drawn, officials immediately match them against the numbered balls loaded into the machines to confirm they correspond.
2. Number combinations are validated
The full winning number combination is checked to ensure it is valid per EuroMillions game rules.
3. Video footage is reviewed
CCTV footage of the draw is thoroughly examined to further verify and audit procedures.
4. Computer systems confirm results
The drawn numbers are entered into digital systems which double check accuracy.
5. Secondary lottery staff validate
Separate staff who were not involved in the draw re-check everything.
6. Results are announced only when all checks pass
Only after clearing all verifications are results officially confirmed. This ensures 100% accuracy.
The comprehensive verification process gives complete assurance in the validity of all EuroMillions results. Players can feel certain that official results are always correct.
In very rare cases where an error is detected after the fact, post-draw corrections may be issued. This is incredibly uncommon but demonstrates the care taken to fix any mistakes.
So rest assured that EuroMillions players are always guaranteed accurate official results that can be fully trusted and verified.
Conclusion
EuroMillions offers life-changing jackpots across Europe twice every week, with draws held punctually every Tuesday and Friday night. Players have approximately two days between draws to buy tickets, culminating in the sales cutoff about 90 minutes prior to each scheduled drawing at 9 pm CET.
Results are quickly validated through extensive verifications and announced officially within around 15 minutes. Winning numbers can be conveniently checked right after the draw through numerous channels.
This consistent schedule allows EuroMillions fans to regularly participate in the multinational lottery. Special events and rollovers add extra excitement on top of the regular games. And players can have full confidence that all results are 100% accurate.
So mark your calendars and remember – EuroMillions takes place every Tuesday and Friday night at the same pre-defined times. And be sure to promptly check those winning numbers to see if you may be the next EuroMillions jackpot winner! Good luck!
