The Mega Millions lottery drawings occur twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. This means that the new Mega Millions numbers come out every Tuesday and Friday night at 11:00 PM ET.
Mega Millions is one of the two major multi-state lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. Mega Millions is available for play in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game consists of picking five main numbers from 1 to 70, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25.
To play Mega Millions, you can purchase a ticket at a lottery retailer on draw days, or purchase your ticket online through the lottery website in some states. Tickets usually cost $2 each. For an additional $1 per play, you can also add the Megaplier option which multiplies non-jackpot prizes.
Mega Millions Drawing Schedule
The Mega Millions lottery has two drawings per week, every Tuesday and Friday night at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Here is the Mega Millions drawing schedule:
| Day | Drawing Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:00 PM ET |
| Friday | 11:00 PM ET |
As you can see from the schedule, new Mega Millions numbers come out every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. All drawings are held at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia and are supervised by certified public accountants.
Lottery players can watch the Mega Millions drawings live online through YouTube and other streaming services. The drawings are also broadcast on select television stations across the country. Make sure to check your local TV listings for availability.
How to View the Latest Mega Millions Numbers
Once the Mega Millions drawing occurs at 11:00 PM ET on Tuesday and Friday nights, it usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour for the latest winning numbers to be posted online. Here are some ways you can view the new Mega Millions numbers when they come out:
- Mega Millions Website – The winning numbers are posted shortly after the drawing at http://www.megamillions.com.
- Lottery Website – Check your state lottery’s website, they will have the Mega Millions numbers posted.
- Lottery Mobile App – Most state lotteries have free mobile apps for iPhone and Android to check numbers.
- Television – News stations often scroll the latest Mega Millions numbers at the bottom of the screen after the drawings.
- Newspapers – Many newspapers print the previous night’s winning Mega Millions numbers.
- Social Media – Follow the official Mega Millions Facebook and Twitter pages for number updates.
The Mega Millions website is usually the fastest way to view the new winning numbers after a drawing. State lottery websites and mobile apps also provide quick access. It’s a good idea to bookmark your preferred option for easily checking results after each drawing.
What Days Can You Play Mega Millions?
Mega Millions can be played twice a week, on the following days:
- Tuesday
- Friday
Tuesday and Friday are the only days that Mega Millions can be played, since drawings are held on those evenings.
Some key points about playing Mega Millions:
- Tickets can be purchased each Tuesday and Friday from lottery retailers, usually from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM local time.
- Ticket sales cut-off times vary by state, usually 1-2 hours before the 11:00 PM ET drawing on Tuesday and Friday.
- Some states allow online Mega Millions ticket purchases on draw days.
- Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per play. An extra $1 per ticket for Megaplier.
- Drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET.
So in summary, players looking to participate in the next Mega Millions drawing need to purchase their tickets on the Tuesday or Friday of that draw by the cutoff time in their jurisdiction. Tickets can not be purchased on non-draw days for that week’s drawings.
Recent Mega Millions Jackpots
Over the years, Mega Millions has awarded some massive jackpots. Here are some of the biggest Mega Millions jackpots in the game’s history:
| Jackpot Amount | Date Won | Winning Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| $1.537 billion | October 23, 2018 | 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 MB: 5 |
| $656 million | March 30, 2012 | 2, 4, 23, 38, 46 MB: 23 |
| $648 million | December 17, 2013 | 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 MB: 7 |
| $543 million | July 24, 2018 | 1, 2, 4, 19, 29 MB: 20 |
| $536 million | July 8, 2016 | 8, 19, 20, 55, 73 MB: 5 |
As you can see, Mega Millions has produced some enormous jackpots won by single ticket holders. The current record stands at $1.537 billion, won in October 2018 on a ticket purchased in South Carolina.
While jackpots like that are rare, smaller prizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million are won far more frequently. On average, about 5 winning jackpot tickets are sold each year.
Odds of Winning Mega Millions
The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24. However, hitting the huge jackpot is much tougher. Here are the odds for each Mega Millions prize:
| Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Match 5 Main + Mega Ball Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| Match 5 Main Numbers | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Match 4 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 |
| Match 4 Main Numbers | 1 in 38,792 |
| Match 3 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 |
| Match 3 Main Numbers | 1 in 606 |
| Match 2 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 693 |
| Match 1 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 |
| Match 0 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 37 |
As you can see, matching all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball jackpot has odds of 1 in over 300 million. Long odds indeed!
But smaller prizes have much better chances, with odds as good as 1 in 37 for matching just the Mega Ball.
Some Benefits of Playing Mega Millions
Here are some benefits that playing the Mega Millions lottery can offer:
- Life-Changing Prizes – Mega Millions often awards prizes worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Even smaller jackpots can be life-altering.
- Relatively Low Ticket Price – For just $2 per play, MM tickets provide two chances every week at a huge jackpot prize.
- Good Odds on Smaller Prizes – It’s tough to win the jackpot, but odds of winning a smaller prize range from 1 in 38 to 1 in 693.
- Jackpots Keep Growing – If there’s no jackpot winner, the top prize rolls over to increase the jackpot for the next drawing.
- Participating is Easy – Tickets can be purchased conveniently at grocery stores, gas stations and online in some states.
In addition to the benefits for players, Mega Millions jackpots also deliver funds to each participating state’s education system. So playing provides entertainment while also helping schools.
Strategies Some Players Use
While the numbers drawn in Mega Millions are entirely random, some lottery players do employ strategies when selecting numbers. Some approaches include:
- Birthday Numbers – Using important dates like birthdays or anniversaries.
- Lucky Numbers – Choosing digits that hold special significance.
- Number Patterns – Selecting numbers that form shapes on the play slip.
- Quick Pick – Letting the lottery terminal randomly pick the numbers.
- Frequent Numbers – Choosing digits that are drawn frequently.
It’s crucial to remember that all sets of numbers have the exact same odds of winning. There’s no strategic way to improve your chances over a random ticket. But playing with special numbers can make the experience more fun.
Why Jackpots Get So Big
There are two primary reasons why Mega Millions jackpots can grow to hundreds of millions of dollars:
- Long odds – The chances of hitting all 6 numbers is roughly 1 in 302 million. This allows the top prize to roll over many times.
- Rollovers – When no ticket matches all 6 numbers, the jackpot rolls over and increases for the next drawing. This process repeats until someone finally wins.
In October 2018, the Mega Millions jackpot reached a world record $1.537 billion after 25 consecutive rollovers over a 3 month period. It takes circumstances like that to produce the monster jackpots.
The Mega Millions consortium does occasionally adjust game rules and odds to control how quickly prizes grow. But the fundamental long odds ensure that giant jackpots will continue being won from time to time.
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot Ever
The current world record Mega Millions jackpot stands at a staggering $1.537 billion. This enormous prize was hit on October 23, 2018 by a single ticket sold in South Carolina.
Here are the details on the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history:
- Jackpot Amount: $1.537 billion ($877.8 million cash)
- Date Won: October 23, 2018
- Winning Numbers: 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 MB: 5
- State Sold: South Carolina
- Rollovers: 25 consecutive drawings
- Time to Jackpot: 3 months
The lucky winner could choose between taking the full $1.537 billion prize spread over 30 annual payments, or a reduced $877.8 million cash lump sum.
That monumental jackpot is over 3 times larger than the previous Mega Millions record of $656 million, set in 2012. It’s still unknown if more than one person may have purchased the winning South Carolina ticket.
While jackpots like this are extremely rare, it shows the immense prize potential when Mega Millions rollovers go unchecked for months. Ultimately, lotteries are businesses and having massive jackpots creates tremendous interest and ticket sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common FAQs about Mega Millions:
What days are the Mega Millions drawings?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
What channel shows the Mega Millions drawing?
The Mega Millions drawing is shown on various local TV stations in states where the game is played. Most stations air it during the 11:00 PM news broadcast. Check your local listings.
Can you watch the Mega Millions drawing online?
Yes, the Mega Millions drawing can be viewed on the lottery’s website at http://www.megamillions.com or on YouTube in real time when it happens on draw nights at 11:00 PM Eastern.
How long do you have to claim a Mega Millions prize?
Prize claiming time limits vary by state. Most states allow between 90 days and 1 year to claim Mega Millions prizes. Check with your state lottery on their claiming requirements.
What are the taxes on Mega Millions winnings?
Federal taxes of 24% are withheld from Mega Millions prizes of $5,000 or more. State taxes may also apply. Jackpots over $600 million have an increased federal tax rate.
Has anyone won Mega Millions more than once?
In the game’s history, about 50 people have won more than one jackpot prize playing Mega Millions or its predecessor Mega Money. But no single player has ever hit the Mega Millions jackpot twice.
What’s the biggest Mega Millions jackpot?
The current Mega Millions record jackpot is $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. The cash option was $877.8 million.
Conclusion
Mega Millions is an exciting multi-state lottery game that gives players two chances a week to try for enormous jackpots. Drawings take place at 11:00 PM ET on Tuesdays and Fridays.
To play, purchase a $2 Mega Millions ticket by the cutoff time from a lottery retailer or via the lottery website in some states. Then watch the drawing that night to see if your numbers come up for a potentially massive prize.
Jackpots can reach world record sizes when there are multiple weeks of rollovers. Even smaller prizes can be life-changing, with odds ranging from 1 in 37 to over 1 in 300 million.
Playing Mega Millions responsibly can provide tons of entertainment and excitement. Just remember to always play within your budget. Good luck hitting a memorable Mega Millions jackpot!