Mega Millions: Winning Numbers, Jackpot, and How to Play
Current Winning Numbers and Next Draw
The latest Mega Millions winning numbers are 14, 19, 21, 45, 67 with Mega Ball 3. The drawing was held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Next drawing: Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Estimated jackpot for the next drawing: $463 million. The cash option for that jackpot is $194.9 million before taxes.
Jackpot, Cash Option, and Payouts at a Glance
Mega Millions jackpots start at $50 million and grow until won. If multiple winning tickets share the jackpot, the prize is divided equally among them. The advertised jackpot values are estimates based on projected sales and can change before the drawing as sales shift.
All annuitized prizes are paid as 30 graduated payments (increasing over time), while the cash option pays a single lump sum equal to the cash value of the jackpot pool. The cash option is typically about half the advertised jackpot, reflecting the present value of the annuity stream over 30 years.
How to Play Mega Millions
- Each Mega Millions wager costs $5. The built-in multiplier is included in the price of a single $5 wager and can multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10X.
- Pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 24 to form a play. You can also choose Quick Pick to have the computer select numbers for you.
- You may purchase up to 13 weeks (26 drawings) in advance in some jurisdictions; in others, you can extend your multi-draw selections online or in-store. Check with your retailer or official lottery site for available multi-draw options.
- Decide how you want to be paid if you win—either the annuity (30 annual installments) or the cash option (lump sum). Taxes apply to both options where applicable.
- Multi-Draw lets you lock in your numbers for consecutive drawings; price increases with additional drawings.
- The multiplier feature is built in and is randomly assigned at purchase for each play; it applies to non-jackpot prizes only and does not apply to the jackpot.
- Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time in most jurisdictions.
- After purchase, keep your ticket secure. All sales are final and Mega Millions tickets cannot be canceled once printed.
- Sales end at the state-specific cutoff times on draw nights; those times vary by state and sales channel (retail vs. online). Always check your local lottery’s official site for exact cutoff times to avoid missing a drawing.
How to Check If Your Ticket Won
Use official channels to verify results and prizes. Methods include:
- The official Mega Millions app or website with a “Check My Numbers” tool.
- Retailer ticket scanners at authorized outlets.
- Official state lottery websites that offer ticket-checking features.
Always use official channels to confirm winnings to avoid incorrect claims.
Built-In Multiplier: How It Works
Every Mega Millions play includes a built-in multiplier at no extra cost. Each play on a ticket receives its own randomly assigned multiplier, which applies to all non-jackpot prizes for that play. The multiplier can be 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. The jackpot prize is not multiplied by the multiplier.
A useful takeaway: because the multiplier is built in, even a modest non-jackpot win can be amplified substantially, but the jackpot itself remains unchanged by the multiplier.
| Prize type | Multiplier impact |
|---|---|
| 5 of 5 (without Mega Ball) | Typically increases from $1,000,000 up to $10,000,000 with 2X to 10X |
| 4 of 5 + Mega Ball | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $20,000 up to $100,000 at 2X to 10X) |
| 4 of 5 | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $1,000 up to $5,000) |
| 3 of 5 + Mega Ball | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $400 up to $2,000) |
| 3 of 5 | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $20 up to $100) |
| 2 of 5 + Mega Ball | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $20 up to $100) |
| 1 of 5 + Mega Ball | Increases correspondingly (e.g., $7 up to $70) |
| Mega Ball Only | Base prize remains $5; multiplier does not apply to Mega Ball only prizes unless stated otherwise by state rules |
Prizes, Odds, and How the Payouts Break Down
The base prize amounts (per $5 play) are outlined below, with multipliers applying to non-jackpot prizes. The jackpot is paid as an annuity unless a cash option is chosen.
| Match | Base Prize | Odds (per $5 play) | With 2X | With 3X | With 4X | With 5X | With 10X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 of 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 290,472,336 | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot |
| 5 of 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,629,232 | $2,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $10,000,000 |
| 4 of 5 + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 893,761 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| 4 of 5 | $500 | 1 in 38,859 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 3 of 5 + Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 13,965 | $400 | $600 | $800 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| 3 of 5 | $10 | 1 in 607 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 2 of 5 + Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 665 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 1 of 5 + Mega Ball | $7 | 1 in 86 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| Mega Ball only | $5 | 1 in 35 | $10 | $15 | $20 | $25 | $50 |
Note: The jackpot prize is shared if more than one ticket wins the jackpot. The multiplier does not apply to the jackpot prize.
Where to Buy and How to Check Your Ticket
Mega Millions is available in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nevada, Utah, Alabama, Alaska, and Hawaii do not participate in Mega Millions. Check your local lottery’s official site to confirm participation and cutoff times for purchases.
Tickets can be purchased at authorized retailers, through official online portals where available, or via official mobile apps. After purchasing, keep the ticket secure and sign the back of the ticket immediately to establish ownership.
Claiming Prizes and Important Deadlines
Prizes must typically be claimed within a set period, which is usually 180 days from the drawing date in many jurisdictions. Check your state’s specific deadline, as rules vary. If a prize is claimed, the process follows the jurisdiction’s validation procedures.
Important Ownership and Cancellation Notices
Mega Millions plays cannot be canceled once printed. To protect ownership, sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase and store it securely. These practices help prevent loss or theft of prize claims.
What’s New for Mega Millions (April 2025 Changes)
Cutoff Times and Draw Schedule: What Readers Should Know
Cutoff times for purchasing Mega Millions tickets vary by state and by sales channel (retail vs online). Always verify the exact cutoff times on your local lottery’s official site to avoid missing a drawing.
Responsible Play
Play Mega Millions responsibly. If you have concerns about gambling, seek help through your state’s resources or national helplines available on official lottery sites.