More than double the cost: The new price of Mega Millions tickets in 2025
It will cost you much more next year if you want to try your luck with a Mega Millions ticket. The price to join the lottery draws will more than double.
The Mega Millions lottery is undergoing a major shake-up soon, as ticket prices are set to rise significantly. The lottery announced several changes for a “mega revamp with plans to be bigger and better than ever.”
Improvements for participants include: improved odds of winning the jackpot, more frequent jackpots, faster-growing jackpots, a built-in multiplier for each game, and no break-even prizes. However, these changes will come at a cost: a hefty increase in ticket price.
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The new price of Mega Millions tickets in 2025
Starting in April 2025, tickets to enter Mega Millions drawings will cost $5, more than double the current price of $2.
“When the new and improved game launches next April, tickets will cost $5 per game. This is only the second price adjustment to the game since the first ticket was sold more than 20 years ago and the first change since the current game matrix was adopted in 2017,” the lottery said.
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When are the Mega Millions draws and how do you play?
Drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. CT). This lottery is available in almost every state in the country except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. It can also be played in the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. It is not available in Puerto Rico.
The cut-off time for buying tickets is usually within one to two hours before the draw, whether in person or online. However, it varies from state to state.
To enter the drawing, players must purchase a ticket in one of the 47 jurisdictions where Mega Millions is available. Participants must choose six numbers: five numbers from one to 70 and one number from 1 to 25.
To win the jackpot, you must match all six numbers that appear on the white balls and the gold ball in the corresponding draw. However, players with fewer numbers can receive anywhere from $2 to $1 million. Here are the numbers and combinations you need to win some money:
- 5 numbers + Mega Ball: jackpot
- 5 numbers: $1,000,000
- 4 numbers + Mega Ball: $10,000
- 4 numbers: $500
- 3 numbers + Mega Ball: $200
- 3 numbers: $10
- 2 numbers + Mega Ball: $10
- 1 number + Mega Ball: $4
- Mega Ball: $2