For the ninth time in its storied history, the Mega Millions jackpot has soared past $700 million, igniting a nationwide lottery frenzy ahead of Tuesday night’s highly anticipated drawing. As of October 28, 2025, the estimated jackpot stands at a staggering $714 million, with a cash option of $334.1 million, making it one of the largest prizes ever offered by the game. The last time the jackpot reached such dizzying heights was back in December 2024, when it ultimately topped $1.269 billion, according to ABC 7 New York.
The climb to this eye-popping sum began after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Friday, October 24. The winning numbers for that night—11, 18, 31, 51, 56, and the Mega Ball 24—left millions of hopefuls empty-handed for the grand prize, though 482,430 lucky players across the country did secure winnings in lower prize tiers, as reported by Fox Business. Nationwide, the total winnings from Tuesday’s drawing alone exceeded $11.7 million, underscoring just how many Americans take their shot at lottery glory each week.
The jackpot has been rolling over since June 27, 2025, when a Virginia ticket holder snagged a $348 million prize. In the 34 drawings since, more than 10 million tickets have won prizes, collectively paying out over $240.9 million, according to The Associated Press. Still, the top prize has proved elusive, fueling both anticipation and dreams as the pot continues to grow.
For those wondering about their odds, the numbers are, well, daunting. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23. But to claim the jackpot? That’s a mind-boggling 1 in 290,472,336. Tickets cost $5 each and come with a randomly assigned multiplier, which can boost non-jackpot prizes by anywhere from 2X to 10X—an added twist that keeps even smaller wins exciting.
Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This wide reach means millions of Americans are eligible to play, and the excitement is palpable in convenience stores and online platforms across the nation. As Fox Business notes, images of hopeful players filling out tickets at local shops have become a familiar sight whenever the jackpot climbs into rarified territory.
The $714 million jackpot currently ranks ninth in Mega Millions history. The largest ever was a jaw-dropping $1.602 billion, won by a single ticket in Florida on August 8, 2023. Other recent record-breakers include $1.537 billion in South Carolina in 2018 and $1.348 billion in Maine in January 2023. Powerball, Mega Millions’ main rival, has also seen astronomical prizes, with a $2.040 billion payout in California in November 2022 and a $1.787 billion jackpot split between Missouri and Texas just last month.
While the Mega Millions jackpot captures the headlines, it’s far from the only game in town. In Ohio, for example, the Powerball jackpot for Monday, October 27, sits at an estimated $358 million. Other state games—like Classic Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Rolling Cash 5—offer their own draws and prizes, though typically on a much smaller scale. Ohio’s Classic Lotto, for instance, boasts a $9.7 million jackpot, with odds of 1 in 13,983,816 for the top prize. Meanwhile, Lucky for Life offers a top prize of $1,000 a day for life, with a $2 ticket and odds of 1 in 30,821,472, according to Cleveland.com.
Each state lottery has its own schedule and prize claim process. In Indiana, the Hoosier Lottery runs Cash 5, Daily 3, Daily 4, Quick Draw, Cash4Life, and Cash Pop games, with drawings held at various times throughout the day and evening. Prizes under $599 can be claimed at authorized retailers, while larger wins require visits to regional offices or, for jackpots of $50,000 or more, a trip to lottery headquarters in Indianapolis. All claims must be made within 180 days of the drawing date, as detailed by the Hoosier Lottery’s official guidelines.
Rhode Island offers a similar array of games, including Lucky for Life, Numbers, and Wild Money. Winners of less than $600 can redeem their tickets at any retailer, but bigger wins must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters in Cranston. Both Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners have the option to choose between a lump sum cash payout or an annuity paid over 30 years, a decision that must be made within 60 days of becoming entitled to the prize. Lucky for Life winners can opt for 20 years of payments or a one-time lump sum, as outlined by the Rhode Island Lottery.
It’s not all about the thrill of the win, though. Lottery proceeds play a significant role in supporting public programs. In New York, for example, the lottery contributed $3.7 billion in aid to education for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with funds distributed to school districts based on size and income level. This means that larger, lower-income districts receive a proportionally higher share of the lottery’s support, helping to level the educational playing field across the state, according to ABC 7 New York.
Of course, the excitement of a massive jackpot comes with a word of caution. The odds of winning big are slim, and for some, the allure of the lottery can become problematic. New Yorkers struggling with gambling addiction—or those concerned about someone they know—are encouraged to reach out to the state’s confidential HOPEline for support. Responsible play is always encouraged, no matter how tempting the prize.
As the clock ticks down to Tuesday night’s drawing, one thing is certain: millions of Americans will be glued to their screens, tickets in hand, hoping to defy the odds and claim their place in lottery history. Whether the jackpot is finally won or rolls over yet again, the Mega Millions continues to capture the imagination—and the dreams—of a nation.
