Largest ever Mega Millions jackpot: when is the $1.55 billion draw?

The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over to what is set to be its largest ever amount, after no tickets matched all six winning numbers in Friday’s latest draw. The top prize now stands at an estimated $1.55 billion, with a $757.2 million cash option.

What were Friday’s winning numbers?

Friday’s Mega Millions numbers were 11-30-45-52-56, and the Mega Ball was 20. The Megaplier was 2x.

When is the next Mega Millions draw?

Players will have their chance to bag the estimated $1.55 billion Mega Millions jackpot when the next draw takes place on Tuesday 8 August 2023, at 11pm ET/8pm PT.

“With enthusiastic players across the country, many of whom are newcomers to the game, it is indeed likely that there will be a new record Mega Millions jackpot,” organisers said. “However, we won’t know for sure until we get closer to Tuesday’s drawing; at this level, jackpots are hard to predict with complete accuracy.

New total set to beat 2018 Mega Millions record

As things stand, the largest ever Mega Millions win is $1.537 billion - a jackpot scooped by a single player in South Carolina in October 2018. In the lottery’s 27-year history, the top prize has risen above the $1 billion mark just five times.

Mega Millions: how to play

You can play Mega Millions in every US state except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. The lottery is also available in the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

A single ticket costs $2. Players must choose six numbers: five ‘white’ numbers between 1 and 70, and a ‘Mega Ball’ number from 1 to 25. To secure the jackpot, all six numbers must match those that are drawn.

Jackpot winners can receive their money in annual instalments (the annuity option) or as a lump sum (the cash option). While annuity recipients get the jackpot in full, those who opt to be paid up front are given a smaller sum. Winnings are pre-tax amounts.

Smaller cash prizes are also available for players who correctly guess some, but not all, of the numbers drawn. In some states, players can pay an extra $1 to multiply non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four or five, depending on the ‘Megaplier’ number selected before the draw itself.