The Mega Millions drawing on Friday, December 26, 2025, captured the attention of lottery hopefuls across the United States, as the jackpot soared to a staggering $125 million. Yet, despite the anticipation and dreams of instant wealth, no one managed to match all six numbers to claim the big prize. The winning numbers for that night were 9, 19, 31, 63, and 64, with the gold Mega Ball being 7, as confirmed by multiple sources including the Detroit Free Press and USA Today Network.
This latest rollover continues a streak that has kept lottery fans coming back for more. According to the Detroit Free Press, the jackpot had reset to $50 million just six draws ago, and with no winner on December 26, it’s now rolling over to an even higher figure for the next drawing. The excitement is palpable, especially after a season of major wins—most notably, the $1.82 billion Powerball jackpot scooped up in Arkansas on Christmas Eve, the second-highest U.S. lottery prize ever awarded.
For those keeping track, the Mega Millions game has seen a flurry of activity in recent months. A $980 million jackpot was claimed in Georgia on November 14, 2025, marking the eighth-largest Mega Millions prize in history. Then, just weeks later, a single ticket in New Jersey matched all the numbers to win a $90 million jackpot on December 2, with a cash option of $41.9 million. As a result, the current Mega Millions jackpot has now rolled over six times, building up the $125 million pot that was up for grabs on December 26.
Despite no jackpot winner on Friday, there was still reason for celebration. A ticket sold in Kentucky matched all five white balls and, thanks to a 2X multiplier, turned what would have been a $1 million prize into a $2 million windfall. The new built-in multiplier feature, which replaced the former Megaplier, is now automatically included in every $5 Mega Millions ticket. It randomly increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or even ten times, providing more opportunities for substantial wins even if the jackpot remains elusive.
Across the country, the Mega Millions fervor remains high, with tickets flying off shelves in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and even at select Walmart locations. In some states, such as Michigan, players have the added convenience of purchasing tickets online until 10:45 p.m. on draw nights. In New York, ticket sales close at 10 p.m., while New Jersey and Connecticut allow purchases up to 10:45 p.m. These slight differences in cutoff times can make all the difference for last-minute buyers hoping to snag a chance at fortune.
Playing Mega Millions is straightforward but far from easy when it comes to winning the top prize. Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball). For those who prefer to leave things to chance, the Easy Pick or Quick Pick option lets the computer generate numbers randomly. The odds of matching all six numbers and winning the jackpot are a daunting 1 in 290,472,336—a figure that underscores just how rare it is to strike it rich through the lottery.
Still, the allure of Mega Millions is undeniable. Beyond the jackpot, the game offers a wide range of prizes. Matching five white balls without the Mega Ball nets a player anywhere from $2 million to $10 million, depending on the multiplier. Even matching four white balls and the Mega Ball can yield prizes up to $100,000, and smaller combinations offer rewards ranging from $10 to $2,000. As the Detroit Free Press notes, the multiplier can turn even modest wins into life-changing amounts.
Winners of the Mega Millions jackpot face a pivotal choice: take the prize as a one-time, lump-sum cash payment or opt for an annuity paid out over 30 years. The annuity option starts with an immediate payment, followed by 29 annual installments, each 5% larger than the last. According to the Mega Millions website, "This helps protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation." The cash option, on the other hand, delivers all the jackpot money at once, but without the gradual increases. If there are multiple jackpot winners in a single drawing, the prize is split equally among all winning tickets.
For those who do win big, the aftermath can be just as complex as the game itself. In Florida, for instance, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. State law requires the Florida Lottery to provide records containing the winner’s name, city of residence, game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information. However, there's a bit of a reprieve: for prizes of $250,000 or greater, winners' names are temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days, unless they waive that right. Legal experts point out that there are ways to remain anonymous, but it’s not straightforward.
The Mega Millions lottery has a storied history of massive jackpots. Some of the largest prizes ever awarded include a $1.602 billion prize in Florida on August 8, 2023; $1.537 billion in South Carolina in October 2018; and $1.348 billion in Maine in January 2023. As of December 26, 2025, there have been 14 U.S. lottery jackpots to reach or surpass the $1 billion mark, with only one topping $2 billion—the $2.04 billion Powerball prize claimed in California in November 2022. These astronomical figures continue to fuel the dreams of millions who buy tickets week after week.
For those wondering where to buy tickets, most gas stations and grocery stores in participating states sell Mega Millions tickets. Publix supermarkets in Florida, for example, have a reputation for selling many winning tickets. And, as the USA Today Network points out, even Walmart stores in some states have self-serve lottery vending machines or offer tickets at the customer service desk.
Looking ahead, the next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 11 p.m. ET. With the jackpot rolling over yet again, anticipation is sure to build as players across the country line up for their shot at a fortune. While the odds remain long, the hope and excitement that come with each new drawing are, for many, worth the price of admission.
As the year draws to a close, the Mega Millions saga continues—reminding everyone that sometimes, all it takes is a $5 ticket and a little luck to change a life forever.