It’s every Brit’s daydream: that life-changing moment when you discover you’re holding a winning National Lottery ticket. But for three people in the UK, that dream remains tantalizingly out of reach, as a staggering £5.6 million in prize money is still waiting to be claimed. With the clock ticking, the National Lottery is urging players to check their tickets—because one phone call could turn someone’s world upside down.
According to National World, the unclaimed fortunes consist of three tickets: a £1,000,000 Lotto win bought in Birmingham, a £1,000,000 EuroMillions entry from Liverpool, and a jaw-dropping £3,613,887 EuroMillions ticket purchased in the Council District of Fife. Each ticket has its own story, set of numbers, and looming deadline. For those who bought their ticket in these regions, it’s time to rummage through pockets, check glove compartments, and sift through bags—because the chance to claim these prizes won’t last forever.
The Birmingham Lotto ticket, drawn on May 24, 2025, holds the numbers 9, 12, 13, 26, 38, 40, and Bonus 4. The lucky winner has until November 20, 2025, to come forward. Meanwhile, the Liverpool EuroMillions ticket, drawn on February 14, 2025, matched 04, 14, 31, 36, 38 and Lucky Stars 03 and 10. The deadline for this prize is just around the corner: August 13, 2025. And in Fife, a EuroMillions ticket drawn on June 13, 2025—with the numbers 2, 28, 40, 43, 45 and Lucky Stars 3 and 7—is worth over £3.6 million. The last day to claim is December 10, 2025.
Every week, millions across the UK buy National Lottery tickets, each hoping for that one-in-a-million win. But what happens when the winner doesn’t step forward? The National Lottery has a clear policy: all draw game prizes must be claimed within 180 days—about six months—of the draw date. There’s a small window for late claims, but only if specific procedures are followed within seven days after the end of the claim period. If no valid claim is received, the prize money, plus any interest earned, is allocated to National Lottery Projects across the UK. As the Lottery puts it on their website, "We hope a lucky player comes forward in time but if a valid claim is not received within 180 days (around 6 months) of the draw date, the prize and any interest earned on it will go to benefit National Lottery Projects across the UK."
Claiming a prize is straightforward—if you remember to check your ticket. For winnings up to £500, players can simply visit a National Lottery retailer. Prizes over £500 and up to £50,000 can be claimed online. But for those eyeing the really big sums—over £50,000, or the monthly Set For Life prizes—a call to the National Lottery on 0333 234 50 50 is required to confirm the win. It’s a process designed to be secure, but also as stress-free as possible for the lucky few who beat the odds.
But the drama doesn’t end with unclaimed tickets. Just this past Friday, August 8, the EuroMillions jackpot soared to an eye-watering £172 million. According to Liverpool Echo, no one managed to match all the numbers and scoop the top prize. The winning numbers were 2, 12, 19, 34, 44, with Lucky Stars 6 and 10. That means the jackpot rolls over—again—setting the stage for an even more staggering prize in the next draw. The National Lottery’s Andy Carter called the jackpot “jaw-dropping,” adding, “A single UK winner of this jaw-dropping prize would make National Lottery history, coming in as the fourth biggest National Lottery winner of all time. And it would also be the 20th win of over £100m since The National Lottery began.”
While no one took home the top prize, two UK players came heartbreakingly close—each winning £192,769 by matching five numbers and one Lucky Star. On Tuesday, August 5, three UK winners each bagged £124,791 for matching five numbers plus one Lucky Star, and four others matched five numbers for £8,333 apiece. It’s proof that even if you don’t hit the jackpot, life-changing sums are still up for grabs. And, as always, the Millionaire Maker Selection created one new UK millionaire with the code ZJMQ51115.
The National Lottery has seen some truly historic wins over the years. The record for the largest ever UK win goes to an anonymous player who scooped a mind-blowing £195 million on July 19, 2022. Not far behind, Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester won £184,262,899 with a Lucky Dip ticket on May 10, 2022. The third largest win in UK history was another anonymous ticket-holder, who landed £177 million on November 26, 2024. And in 2025, the biggest win so far was £83 million back in January. These numbers are dizzying, but they’re also a reminder: someone, somewhere, always wins—unless, of course, the prize goes unclaimed.
For those who play regularly, it’s a sobering thought: how many times have you tossed a ticket in the bin without checking the numbers? Or left one languishing in a drawer, forgotten? The National Lottery’s system is designed to give everyone a fair shot, but it relies on players taking that crucial last step—claiming their winnings. And with millions at stake, there’s never been a better time to double-check those old tickets.
As the deadlines for these unclaimed prizes approach, the National Lottery is ramping up efforts to get the word out. From social media campaigns to local news coverage, the message is clear: don’t let your fortune slip away. For the winners in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Fife, the opportunity is still there—but not for long.
And for everyone else, the next draw is just around the corner, with the EuroMillions jackpot set to climb even higher after Friday’s rollover. As Carter put it, “A single UK winner of this jaw-dropping prize would make National Lottery history.” Will the next big winner step forward, or will another fortune go unclaimed, destined to fund good causes instead of changing a life overnight?
In the world of lottery dreams, timing is everything. For three lucky ticket-holders, the countdown is on—and the chance to turn a piece of paper into a life of luxury is slipping through their fingers with every passing day.
