The current Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $1.22 billion, making it the fifth largest in the game’s history. The last time the jackpot was claimed was on September 10, 2024, when a Texas player won $810 million. Since then, the jackpot has grown through 30 consecutive drawings without a winner. The cash option for this prize stands at approximately $549.7 million. If someone secures the jackpot on Friday, it will rank as the largest Mega Millions prize ever won in December.
Historically, one of the notable Mega Millions wins occurred in January 2021, when a lottery club from Oakland County, Michigan, claimed a $1.05 billion prize. That win remains the largest lottery prize ever won in Michigan and the sixth largest in U.S. lottery history.
Did anyone win the mega millions for december 27, 2024
As the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot was drawn Friday night, many Americans hoped for a life-changing holiday surprise. The grand prize reached $1.22 billion after no jackpot winners emerged from the Christmas Eve drawing. However, the Christmas Eve round did produce several tickets worth $1 million.
Only three jackpots have been won in 2024, including a massive $1.13 billion prize from a ticket purchased in New Jersey in March. The prize was recently claimed by a winner who opted for anonymity, as permitted in New Jersey. Meanwhile, the largest Mega Millions jackpot of $1.6 billion was won in Florida in August 2023.
Joshua Johnston, the lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, remarked earlier this week, “With so many people giving lottery tickets as gifts during the holidays, imagine receiving a ticket worth a $1.15 billion jackpot. That would be the ultimate holiday surprise!”
Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024
The winning numbers for Friday’s drawing were: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the Mega Ball was 6. The MegaPlier was 3x.
To win the jackpot, a player must match all five numbers plus the Mega Ball. Winners can choose between receiving the full amount as an annuity over 30 years or a lump sum payout, which is roughly half the jackpot’s value. Most winners typically select the lump sum option.
For those matching only the first five numbers, a $1 million prize is guaranteed.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
Largest Mega Millions jackpots in history
- $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023 – Florida
- $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 – South Carolina
- $1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 – Maine
- $1.337 billion – July 29, 2022 – Illinois
- $1.22 billion (est) – Dec. 27, 2024
- $1.128 billion – March 26, 2024 – New Jersey
- $1.050 billion – January 22, 2021 – Michigan
- $810 million – September 10, 2024 – Texas
- $656 million – March 30, 2012 – Kansas/Illinois/Maryland
- $648 million – December 17, 2013 – California/Georgia
- $552 million – June 4, 2024 – Illinois