As the clock struck 8:30pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the hopes of millions across Europe were pinned on a handful of numbers – and a life-changing £55 million EuroMillions jackpot. The draw, which had been eagerly anticipated all week, concluded with the numbers 6, 10, 18, 44, 47, and the Lucky Stars 2 and 10. But as the dust settled, it became clear: nobody had managed to match all seven numbers, leaving the colossal jackpot to roll over once again.
According to LancsLive, the excitement for the night began with the Thunderball draw at 8pm, where the winning numbers were 9, 17, 18, 21, 27, and the Thunderball number 7. The top prize for Thunderball – a fixed £500,000 – was up for grabs for anyone who managed to match all five numbers plus the Thunderball. As Express reported, the Thunderball results were announced promptly, giving hopefuls a chance to check their tickets before the main event.
The EuroMillions draw followed, with the main numbers and Lucky Stars revealed live. The rules are simple: players select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12. Tickets cost £2.50 and sales close at 7:30pm on draw days. For those who prefer not to pick their own numbers, the Lucky Dip option randomly generates a selection, and up to seven lines can be played on a single ticket at UK retailers.
While the £55 million jackpot went unclaimed, the night was far from fruitless. As The National Lottery confirmed, one UK player became an instant millionaire through the Millionaire Maker code, with HPNW21708 (sometimes listed as HPNW21708l) being the winning selection. Every EuroMillions ticket automatically includes a unique Millionaire Maker code, and one is chosen at random in each draw to award a guaranteed £1 million prize. "One UK millionaire has been created through the Millionaire Maker Selection. The winning code is HPNW21708l," stated a National Lottery spokesperson.
Across the Irish Sea, there was also cause for celebration, though not at the jackpot level. Irish Mirror reported that more than 40,000 players in Ireland won prizes in the EuroMillions and Plus games, including one player who matched five numbers to scoop a five-figure prize of €21,858. Additionally, ten winners in Ireland each claimed €5,000 in the Ireland-only raffle, with specific winning codes announced for those lucky few. However, the EuroMillions jackpot of €64,537,877 (approximately £55 million) remained elusive, and there was no winner of the Plus top prize, worth €500,000.
For those keeping track, the EuroMillions game is played across nine European countries: the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland. Having launched in February 2004, the game has now seen over a thousand draws, each one offering the tantalizing possibility of a windfall that could change a life in an instant.
While the jackpot remained unclaimed on this particular Tuesday, the anticipation is already building for the next draw. As The National Lottery revealed, Friday's jackpot is now estimated at a staggering £66 million, thanks to the rollover. And if that wasn't enough, the upcoming draw will also see ten guaranteed UK millionaires created through the Millionaire Maker, a special event that always adds an extra layer of excitement. Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn (operator of The National Lottery), commented, "It's an exciting time for EuroMillions players with an estimated £66M up for grabs this Friday (16 January). If that wasn't enough, this exciting draw will also be making 10 guaranteed UK millionaires through the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker. Make sure to get your tickets early to be in with a chance to win!"
But what happens if you win? The process is straightforward, but it's crucial to check your ticket and claim in time. There are currently four unclaimed EuroMillions prizes totaling £3,112,091 from previous draws, with claim deadlines ranging from February to May 2026. For example, a £1 million UK Millionaire Maker code from the August 15, 2025, draw remains unclaimed in Birmingham, with a final claim date of February 11. Other unclaimed prizes are scattered across Broxbourne, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, each with their own ticking clock. The National Lottery urges players to check old tickets and come forward if they hold a winning code.
The EuroMillions format is designed to create winners at multiple levels. While the jackpot requires matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars, significant secondary prizes are also available. As Liverpool Echo noted, matching five numbers and one Lucky Star can net a player £130,554.30, while matching five numbers alone is worth £13,561.20. Lower-tier prizes are available for matching fewer numbers, ensuring that many players walk away with something, even if it isn't the headline-grabbing jackpot.
For those who missed out on Tuesday's excitement, there are plenty more chances to play. The EuroMillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday, the Lotto every Wednesday and Saturday, and Set For Life every Monday and Thursday. Thunderball draws are held four times a week, offering a steady stream of opportunities to win. Tickets for all draws can be purchased up to 7:30pm on the day, and results are announced live online and through various media outlets.
Beyond the thrill of the draw, it's worth remembering that the National Lottery has a broader impact. As Andy Carter highlighted, "Playing any National Lottery game is about more than the chance to win – it's about coming together to make a difference. Every week, players help raise around £32M for projects that change lives across the UK." From funding community initiatives to supporting the arts and sports, the proceeds from ticket sales ripple out far beyond the winners themselves.
So, while January 13, 2026, didn't produce a new EuroMillions jackpot winner, it did create new millionaires, bring joy to thousands of smaller prize-winners, and set the stage for an even bigger draw on Friday. For many, the dream lives on, and perhaps, just perhaps, the next set of numbers will finally unlock that elusive fortune.
