If you’ve been holding off on grabbing a Mega Millions ticket, now might be the time to test your luck. The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to a massive $680 million after no player matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing.
The next drawing is scheduled for Friday night at 11 p.m. ET, and the prize is shaping up to be one of the largest in recent history.
No Jackpot Winner, But One Big Win in Illinois
Although nobody took home the top prize this week, one lucky ticket sold in Illinois matched all five white balls – earning a cool $3 million prize. That’s thanks to the optional Megaplier, which multiplies non-jackpot winnings by up to five times.
The winning numbers for the October 22 drawing were 2, 18, 27, 34, 59, with the gold Mega Ball 18.
33 Drawings and Counting Without a Jackpot
This marks the 33rd consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner. The last time someone hit the big prize was back on June 27, when a Virginia player scored $348 million. Since then, the jackpot has been rolling over week after week, fueling excitement across the country.
The Mega Millions game often goes through long streaks without a winner, as the odds of matching all six numbers stand at a nearly impossible 1 in 290,472,336. Still, that doesn’t stop millions of hopeful players from dreaming of life-changing winnings twice a week.
What Friday’s $680 Million Prize Offers
The advertised jackpot of $680 million represents the total value if paid out as an annuity – an immediate payment followed by 29 annual installments that gradually increase over time.
For those who prefer a one-time payout, the cash option is estimated at $318.2 million before taxes. Federal and state taxes can significantly reduce the final amount, but even the lump sum could easily set someone up for life.
If no one wins Friday’s drawing, the jackpot could easily push past $700 million in the coming week – a level reached only a handful of times in Mega Millions history.
Where and How to Play Mega Millions Jackpot
Tickets for Mega Millions are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball number from 1 to 25.
Each play costs $5, and adding the Megaplier option for an extra $1 can multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x, depending on the draw.
A Look Back at Mega Millions Jackpot History
The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was a mind-blowing $1.6 billion, won on August 8, 2023. That ticket, sold in Florida, set a national record and became one of the biggest lottery prizes ever claimed in the United States.
If Friday’s $680 million prize is won, it would rank as the ninth-largest Mega Millions jackpot since the game began in 1996.
Mega Millions continues to be one of America’s favorite lottery games, second only to Powerball, which has also produced billion-dollar jackpots in recent years.
A Game of Chance, Hope, and Headlines
While the odds of winning remain steep, massive jackpots like this one tend to capture the nation’s imagination. Gas stations and convenience stores see long lines as players rush to grab tickets, hoping their numbers will finally come up.
Even if you don’t hit the jackpot, smaller prizes can still make the game worth playing. Mega Millions offers multiple ways to win, from $2 for matching just the Mega Ball to millions for matching five white balls with the Megaplier.
So, whether you’re a regular player or someone who only buys tickets when the prize gets this high, Friday night could be your lucky draw – or at least a fun chance to dream a little bigger.
