The Mega Millions jackpot has reached a staggering $1.22 billion, making it the fifth-largest jackpot in the history of the lottery game. The drawing for this massive jackpot is set for 11 p.m. ET on Friday, with a cash-out option of $549.7 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are incredibly slim, at 1 in 302,575,350. Since the beginning of 2024, only three jackpot winners have been declared, with the most recent one on September 10 in Texas.
Viewers interested in watching the winning numbers from the drawing can tune in to the Mega Millions YouTube channel or check local news stations that carry the rights to air the drawing. The winning numbers will also be posted on the Mega Millions website after the drawing. To participate in the Mega Millions lottery, players must pick six numbers from two different sets: five numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25. The jackpot is won by correctly selecting all six numbers.
The top five largest Mega Millions jackpots in U.S. history include a $1.602 billion jackpot on August 8, 2023, in Florida; a $1.537 billion jackpot on October 23, 2018, in South Carolina; a $1.348 billion jackpot on January 13, 2023, in Maine; a $1.337 billion jackpot on July 29, 2022, in Illinois; and the current $1.22 billion jackpot on December 27, 2024. A spokesperson for Mega Millions confirmed that interest in the current drawing is widespread and growing, as the jackpot is attracting both regular players and occasional participants across the 45 states and territories where the game is played.
The Mega Millions Consortium expressed excitement about the upcoming drawing, especially since many people may have received tickets as holiday gifts. Lead director Joshua Johnston emphasized the potential of a $1.15 billion jackpot prize, stating that winning such a large sum could fulfill the dreams of the lucky recipient. The organization encouraged people to celebrate the holiday season by playing and potentially winning life-changing prizes. The next drawing after Friday’s one is scheduled for Tuesday, allowing more opportunities for players to try their luck and possibly win the massive jackpot.
