Not thousands nor millions... we have a $1.22 billion Mega Millions winner on December 27? Here are the winning numbers and prizes

The Mega Millions jackpot had been growing, and growing, and growing, reaching an incredible $1.22 billion after nobody matched all the winning numbers on the last draw.

The numbers were drawn on Friday, December 27, as the nation watched on and those that fell were: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with the gold Mega Ball 6.

California dreaming as billion-dollar jackpot won

One winner of the huge jackpot has been confirmed.

The fortunate ticket of the fifth-largest prize in the game’s history was purchased at a Sunshine Food and Gas station in Cottonwood, a small town in northern California. The winner now faces the enviable decision between receiving the full $1.22 billion as an annuity or opting for a lump-sum cash payout. More on that below.

More mega millionaires

This jackpot had been accumulating since September 10, following a $810 million win in Texas. In addition to the grand prize winner, five other players matched all five white balls, earning them $1 million each. These tickets were sold in Arizona, Missouri, Texas, and two in California.

To enter the draw, players must purchase a ticket in one of the 47 jurisdictions where Mega Millions is available, including most states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. Participants select six numbers: five numbers between 1 and 70 and one number between 1 and 25.

To win the jackpot, you must match all six numbers drawn – the five white balls and the gold Mega Ball. However, as we’ve seen, players with fewer matches can still win prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million.

Mega Millions numbers, December 27

While the identity of the new ‘billionaire’ remains unknown at the time of writing, this win adds to California’s impressive record, marking the 37th Mega Millions jackpot claimed in the state. As lottery officials often advise, winners should consult with financial and legal professionals to navigate their newfound wealth responsibly.

Mega Millions jackpot payment options

The jackpot winner must choose between two payment methods:

Both options are before taxes. Once the prize is claimed, a federal 24% withholding tax is deducted. Additional state taxes may apply if the ticket was purchased in a state that taxes lottery winnings or has state income taxes. Additionally, when filing taxes, the winner would fall into the federal maximum tax bracket of 37%.

When are the Mega Millions drawings?

This lottery is available in nearly every state, except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. It is also offered in the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands but not in Puerto Rico. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. CT).

The deadline to purchase tickets is typically one to two hours before the draw, depending on the jurisdiction, either in person or online.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

For those still holding onto dreams of striking it rich, the next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for December 31, with the jackpot resetting to its base amount of $20 million. That may sound rather insignificant given the sums we’ve been talking about but read it again, it’s twenty million dollars!

These are the dates for the next Mega Millions drawings in December:

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.