On the evening of September 30, 2025, anticipation ran high across the United Kingdom and beyond as hopeful lottery players clutched their tickets, waiting for the results of the latest EuroMillions and Thunderball draws. With a staggering £14 million EuroMillions jackpot up for grabs, and an additional £500,000 available in the Thunderball draw, the night promised life-changing potential for a handful of lucky individuals (as reported by The Sun and Liverpool ECHO).
The EuroMillions, a transnational lottery played in nine European countries, has been making millionaires since its inception on February 7, 2004, a collaboration between France’s Française des Jeux, Spain’s Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, and the UK’s Camelot. Every Tuesday and Friday, the draw captures the imagination of millions, with tickets costing £2.50 and each purchase automatically entering the player into the UK Millionaire Maker draw, which guarantees at least one new UK millionaire every week (according to The Sun and Liverpool ECHO).
This particular Tuesday, the excitement was palpable. The Thunderball draw, with a top prize of £500,000, took place just after 8pm, followed by the EuroMillions draw at around 8:45pm. The winning Thunderball numbers were 11, 16, 23, 25, 37, and the Thunderball itself was 8. Shortly after, the EuroMillions numbers were announced: 3, 8, 15, 17, and 48, with Lucky Stars 2 and 8 (as confirmed by The Sun, Liverpool ECHO, and multiple regional news outlets).
For those who matched all five main numbers plus the two Lucky Stars, the £14 million jackpot awaited. But the EuroMillions isn’t just about the top prize. Smaller, yet still substantial, sums were available for players matching fewer numbers. Five main numbers plus one Lucky Star would earn a player £130,554.30, while five main numbers alone would net £13,561.20. Even matching four main numbers and two Lucky Stars would win £844.70. The odds of winning any EuroMillions prize stand at an enticing 1 in 13, making dreams of a windfall feel just within reach (The Sun).
Meanwhile, the UK Millionaire Maker draw, running alongside the main EuroMillions game, crowned one guaranteed winner of £1 million. On September 30, the winning code was MCWF43688, bestowing instant millionaire status on a lucky ticket holder somewhere in the UK.
The EuroMillions draw is no stranger to sensational headlines and life-altering prizes. Just a few days before this draw, a player in Belgium had matched all the numbers to scoop a “super jackpot” of £113 million. The UK has seen its fair share of massive wins as well: Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester made headlines in May 2022 when they bagged £184 million, only for that record to be bested a couple of months later when an anonymous UK winner claimed a £195 million prize. Other notable British winners include a £175 million jackpot in December 2020 and a £170,221,000 win in October 2019 (The Sun and Liverpool ECHO).
As for the Thunderball, it remains a popular choice for those seeking more frequent, if smaller, wins. Tickets cost just £1 per line, and players choose five numbers plus a Thunderball, or opt for a Lucky Dip for random selection. The draw occurs four times a week—Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—offering consistent chances for a substantial payout. On this particular Tuesday, the Thunderball numbers mirrored those reported across all major outlets: 11, 16, 23, 25, 37, with Thunderball 8.
The process for winners, especially those who land the largest prizes, is carefully managed by Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery. According to Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, “Everyone dreams of that huge win when they buy their National Lottery ticket – and for those lucky enough to experience it, we’re here to make sure it’s a positive and secure journey. From financial advice to emotional support, our role is to help winners take control of their new future with confidence.” Winners are offered a confidential and supportive process, including access to expert financial guidance and emotional support, ensuring they can navigate the sudden changes that come with such a windfall (as reported by Liverpool ECHO).
For those who missed out on the top prizes, the National Lottery offers a variety of other games throughout the week. The Wednesday Lotto game, for example, was set to offer an £8.4 million triple rollover prize the very next day, October 1, 2025. There’s also Set For Life, with draws every Monday and Thursday, and Lotto every Wednesday and Saturday, ensuring that the dream of a big win is never far away (Liverpool ECHO).
EuroMillions’ popularity is bolstered not just by its huge jackpots, but by the stories of ordinary people whose lives have been transformed overnight. Winners like Colin and Chris Weir, who netted £161,653,000 in 2011, and Adrian and Gillian Bayford, who took home £148,656,000 in 2012, have become part of UK lottery lore. Even smaller wins can have profound impacts, whether it’s paying off a mortgage, helping family, or supporting charitable causes.
Of course, the odds of matching all five numbers and both Lucky Stars are steep—but that doesn’t stop millions from playing, spurred on by the stories of past winners and the tantalizing possibility that next time, it could be them. As The Sun noted, “Could tonight’s jackpot of £14 million see you handing in your notice and swapping the daily commute for slurping champagne on a super yacht or lying back on a private beach in the Bahamas?”
With every draw, the EuroMillions and Thunderball continue to capture imaginations, offering not just the promise of riches, but the hope of a new beginning. For those holding the winning numbers from September 30, 2025, life may never be the same again.
