A winning Mega Millions ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold in California for the Friday night drawing, according to the Mega Millions website. The ticket matched all six numbers, marking the end of a three-month streak without a jackpot winner.
The winning numbers were white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, and 55, along with the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the ticket holder or holders has not been disclosed.
The full $1.22 billion jackpot will only be awarded to a winner who opts for an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Most winners choose the cash option, which for this drawing is approximately $549.7 million.
Despite the astronomical odds of 1 in 302.6 million, ticket sales surged as the jackpot grew. The last time a Mega Millions jackpot was won was on Sept. 10, 2023.
The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot of $1.6 billion was won in Florida in August 2023. Powerball, a similar lottery game, has recorded even larger prizes in its history.
Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also sold in Puerto Rico.
Starting in April, the price of a Mega Millions ticket will increase from $2 to $5. Officials say this adjustment is expected to improve jackpot odds and result in more frequent, record-breaking payouts.
