Mega Millions Jackpot Drawing Format and Rules
The Mega Millions jackpot drawing uses two separate sets of numbered balls. Players select five white balls from a pool of 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball from a pool of 1 to 25. The drawing is conducted by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which operates the game for its member lotteries. Official drawing results are published on the official Mega Millions website and verified by state lottery agencies Mega Millions Official Site.
Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The current format, which began in 2017, increased the white ball pool to 70 and the Mega Ball pool to 25. This structure defines all prize tiers, from the jackpot for matching all six numbers down to a $2 prize for matching only the Mega Ball North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries.
Mega Millions Jackpot Odds and Prize Structure
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 302,575,350. The prize structure includes nine total tiers, with the jackpot starting at $20 million and rolling over when there is no top-tier winner. The second prize tier, matching all five white balls without the Mega Ball, pays a fixed $1 million. The table below outlines the core tiers and their odds.
Prize Tier Breakdown
Jackpot
Match 5 white balls plus the Mega Ball. The jackpot grows with each rollover until a single ticket or group of tickets matches all six numbers.
Second Prize
Match 5 white balls only. This tier pays a fixed $1 million, regardless of the jackpot size.
Third Prize
Match 4 white balls plus the Mega Ball for a fixed $10,000 prize.
Lower Tiers
Additional fixed prizes are available for matching fewer numbers, with the lowest tier requiring only the Mega Ball for a $2 payout.
Recent Mega Millions Jackpot Results and Trends
The most recent Mega Millions jackpot drawing awarded the top prize to a single ticket holder in a state participating in the lottery. The winning numbers for that drawing were publicly announced by the state lottery after the official drawing time. The jackpot amount for the next drawing resets to the minimum $20 million if the prize is claimed, or continues to roll over if no ticket matches all six numbers.
Historical data shows that the Mega Millions jackpot has reached record levels multiple times, with the largest jackpot exceeding $1.6 billion. These large prizes drive higher ticket sales across all participating states. The next drawing is scheduled for the next available drawing date, and players can check the official Mega Millions website for the latest results and prize amounts Mega Millions Official Site.