On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the EuroMillions jackpot reached an astonishing €250 million (£208 million), marking the largest lottery prize ever offered in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This monumental sum was claimed by a single ticket holder from Ireland, instantly transforming their life and making headlines across both countries.
The jackpot had rolled over four times before finally being won, hitting the cap set at €250 million. According to the Irish National Lottery, the lucky winner matched all five main numbers—13, 22, 23, 44, and 49—along with the two Lucky Stars, 3 and 5. Their identity remains anonymous, as is common with such large lottery wins.
National Lottery operator Allwyn confirmed the win on social media, stating, "The EuroMillions jackpot of €250 million has been won in Ireland!" This win eclipsed previous records and is considered the biggest ever prize won by a single ticket holder in the region. Had the jackpot remained unclaimed, a "Must Be Won" draw was scheduled for Friday, June 20, where the prize would have been distributed among winners in lower prize tiers.
In the UK, the excitement was palpable despite the jackpot not being claimed there. Over 1.25 million UK players won prizes in Tuesday’s draw, with a total of nearly four million winners across all participating countries. Three ticket holders from the UK, including two who matched five main numbers and one Lucky Star, each won over £6.2 million. Additionally, sixteen ticket holders, four from the UK, matched all five main numbers and won approximately £16,119 each. In total, UK players collected over £18 million in prizes that night.
Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn, highlighted the life-changing nature of such a jackpot: "From private islands and private jets to really making a monumental difference to causes close to your heart, a £208 million EuroMillions jackpot win would mean pretty much anything is within reach." His words resonated with many hopeful players dreaming of what they could do with such wealth.
The EuroMillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday, with tickets costing £2.50 and including automatic entry into the UK Millionaire Maker draw. This raffle guarantees at least one UK player wins £1 million each draw. On this particular night, the UK Millionaire Maker code XPCD66044 created a new millionaire.
The Thunderball draw also took place on the same evening, offering a top prize of £500,000. The winning Thunderball numbers were 2, 6, 12, 17, and 39, with the Thunderball number being 7. Although no one won the top prize that night, two ticket holders matched five numbers and won £5,000 each. In total, over 106,000 Thunderball winners shared a prize fund exceeding £586,000.
Lottery experts advise players to consider strategic number choices to enhance their chances. One popular tip is to select numbers beyond the common birthday range (1-31) to avoid sharing prizes with multiple winners. Tuesday draws typically see less competition than Fridays, potentially increasing the share of winnings if successful.
With the jackpot capped at £208 million (€250 million), if no winner had emerged on June 17, the prize would have remained at this level for three more draws before a mandatory "Must Be Won" draw on June 20. This rule ensures the massive prize doesn't linger indefinitely, guaranteeing a winner or winners within a set period.
Historically, the UK has seen some staggering lottery wins. The current record holder is an anonymous player who claimed £195 million in July 2022. Other notable winners include Joe and Jess Thwaite, who won £184.3 million in May 2022, and an October 2019 winner who took home over £170 million. These life-altering sums have allowed winners to retire, travel the world, and contribute generously to charitable causes.
For the fortunate Irish winner, the jackpot offers opportunities beyond imagination—whether purchasing a private island, luxury yachts, or supporting cherished charities. For the millions who didn't win, the draw reinforced the thrill of possibility that the lottery brings every week.
Players are reminded to check their tickets carefully and claim any prizes within 180 days of the draw date, with tickets from this draw valid until December 14, 2025. As the excitement settles, anticipation already builds for the next EuroMillions and Thunderball draws, where dreams of fortune continue to inspire millions.
