The El Niño Lottery 2025 is set to become one of the most thrilling events for lottery enthusiasts across Spain. Scheduled for January 6, 2025, at noon, this year’s draw promises to distribute a staggering total of 770 million euros in prizes, making it one of the most anticipated moments of the year.
Managed by Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, the lottery offers significant prizes with the first-place winner taking home 2 million euros per series, equivalent to 200,000 euros for each lucky ticket holder. The excitement doesn’t stop there; the second prize will reward participants with 750,000 euros per series, and the third prize offers 250,000 euros per series. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, as the lottery will also dispense smaller awards totaling millions more.
Participants can watch the draw live from the Salón de Sorteos de Loterías y Apuestas del Estado located in Madrid, with coverage available via RTVE’s La 1 television channel and streaming through RTVE Play. This annual lottery, revered for its tradition and the hopeful chance it provides for all those who didn’t strike it rich during the Christmas Lottery, is not only memorable for the chance of financial windfall but also steeped in cultural importance as it reflects the spirit of the Spanish Epiphany celebrations.
Historically known as the Sorteo del Niño, this lottery has been part of Spanish life since its establishment. While its origins trace back to 1868, it gained formal recognition as we know it today only since 1941. It was institutionalized to solidify its place as the second most important lottery event of the year, following the grand finale of the Christmas Lottery.
Each lottery ticket costs 200 euros, split down to 20-euro décimos, making it accessible for numerous players who dream of hitting the jackpot. A total of 55 series will be issued, each containing 100,000 tickets, making the total issuance worth about 1.1 billion euros—70% of which, as stated by El Confidencial, will go directly to the prize pool.
The excitement of the lottery draws participants to the ticket lines with hope and anticipation. For many players, especially those who did not win big during the Christmas Lottery, El Niño offers a said 'second chance' to get their slice of fortune. Traditionally correlated with the Epiphany, the timing of the draw adds to its significance, as families and friends gather to check their numbers and celebrate the holiday.
Claiming victories after the draw is another important step for participants. Winnings up to 2,000 euros can be collected at any lottery administration office, reflecting the straightforward nature of the claims process. For larger prizes, especially those exceeding 2,000 euros, winners must visit authorized banks like Caixabank, BBVA, or Santander, where they will also need to present valid identification.
Since changes made to lottery taxation laws, winners receiving prizes north of 40,000 euros are subject to 20% tax deductions. For example, if someone wins the first prize (200,000 euros), they would receive 168,000 euros after tax. This transparent taxation policy ensures participants understand their net rewards and can plan appropriately once they've struck gold.
The sheer thrill of potentially winning substantial amounts makes the El Niño Lottery one of the highlights of the festive calendar. With increased odds for winning smaller prizes next to the Christmas Lottery and historical traditions intertwined with the Epiphany festivities, players are set to engage eagerly once again.
With many eagerly awaiting the draw, the joy of dreaming, sharing hopes, and the genuine excitement builds as the day approaches. Will your number be among the lucky few this year? Tune in to the live draw and get ready to check your tickets!