On November 28, 2025, the air was thick with anticipation for lottery enthusiasts across the UK, as two major draws captured the hopes and imaginations of thousands. For some, the day would bring a modest but satisfying win; for one especially fortunate individual, it might mean a life transformed overnight—if only they realize it in time.
The Dee Lotto draw, a fixture for members and fans of Dundee FC, took place as scheduled on Thursday evening. This week’s winning numbers were 26, 05, 04, and 22. The jackpot, which had been steadily climbing, now stands at a robust £11,557, according to the official Dee Lotto announcement. While no one managed to scoop the main jackpot this time around, six lucky members did match three of the winning numbers, earning themselves a respectable £35 each. The winners—B Pellow, C Blades, B Mathewson (1948), A Meechan (59795), G Shepherd, and D Ney (77036)—will no doubt be celebrating their good fortune, however modest.
But the Dee Lotto is about more than just cash prizes. Ten additional members were drawn for exclusive Dundee FC prizes, a tradition that keeps loyalty to the football club alive and kicking. This week’s prize winners included T Wilson, A Allan, K Anderson (39627), S Patterson, G Shirkey (2615), R Horsburgh, T Tolmie, R McKenzie, G Webster, and M Scrimgeour (2527). Notably, some members prefer to keep their winnings under wraps, opting out of having their names published on the winners’ list—a reminder that for some, the thrill of the win is best enjoyed in private.
While the Dee Lotto delivered its usual blend of community excitement and anticipation, a far larger drama was unfolding in the world of the National Lottery. The November 15 ‘Must Be Won’ draw produced a staggering £15 million jackpot, and the winning ticket—purchased online—matched all six main balls: 09, 11, 27, 44, 48, and 52. Yet, as of November 27, the winner had yet to come forward, leaving National Lottery officials—and perhaps the entire country—wondering: who is the new multimillionaire?
According to the National Lottery operator, the winning ticket holder would have received both an email and a message in their online account, urging them to check their notifications and claim their prize. Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, the company operating the National Lottery, captured the surreal nature of the situation: “Imagine not checking your National Lottery email notifications in recent weeks, perhaps thinking it will be a smaller win – and having no idea about this incredible sum of money with your name on it. It’s time to take a moment to log in – that moment could be the most rewarding moment of your life. I would advise taking a seat first just in-case, it could be you.”
For the winner, the clock is now ticking. The National Lottery’s rules provide a 180-day window from the date of the draw for winners to claim their prize, setting the deadline at May 14, 2026. However, because the ticket was bought online and is linked to a registered player’s account, the National Lottery Winner’s Team is taking proactive steps to contact the lucky individual, hoping to ensure that the life-changing sum doesn’t go unclaimed. Still, the onus ultimately falls on the ticket holder to check their messages and take that crucial next step.
This £15 million windfall is just the latest in a string of remarkable wins that have characterized the autumn lottery season. According to National Lottery records, two EuroMillions jackpots were claimed in rapid succession: a single UK ticketholder pocketed £26 million on October 3, followed by another who secured £25 million on October 10. The Lotto itself saw two major jackpots awarded: a £10 million winner and, just days later on October 8, a £2 million winner. It’s been, by all accounts, a season of extraordinary luck for a handful of players.
For those who play the lottery, the process is simple but nerve-wracking: buy a ticket, wait for the numbers, hope for the best. But what happens when the numbers come up, and the winner doesn’t realize it? The National Lottery has protocols in place for just such situations. Because online tickets are tied to user accounts, the operator can reach out directly, but the company also urges all players to regularly check their emails and account notifications. “Anyone with any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should ring the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected],” the official guidance states.
The contrast between the local Dee Lotto and the national stage of the National Lottery is striking, yet both share a common thread: the tantalizing possibility of luck, and the community that springs up around it. For Dundee FC supporters, the Dee Lotto isn’t just about the money—it’s about supporting their club, sharing in the excitement, and maybe, just maybe, getting their name read out as a winner. For the National Lottery, the stakes are higher and the audience broader, but the emotional rollercoaster is much the same.
Of course, not everyone wants the spotlight. As the Dee Lotto organizers point out, some winners prefer to remain anonymous, a choice respected by the club. The National Lottery, too, offers winners the option to keep their identities private, a policy that has led to many a whispered conversation in workplaces and pubs across the UK: “Could it be someone we know?”
For now, the mystery remains. The Dee Lotto has crowned its weekly winners, and the Dundee FC faithful will be back next week for another shot. But somewhere out there, a new multimillionaire is going about their daily routine, perhaps oblivious to the fact that their life could change overnight with the click of a button. The National Lottery’s message is clear: check your account, check your emails, and don’t let the chance of a lifetime slip through your fingers.
With jackpots big and small, the lottery continues to offer a glimmer of hope and excitement in everyday life. For some, the dream is just a ticket away—if only they know where to look.
