Britain is abuzz with excitement as a single UK ticket-holder has landed the life-changing £26 million EuroMillions jackpot, following Friday night's highly anticipated draw. The National Lottery confirmed the news late on October 3, 2025, urging players across the country to check their tickets—after all, someone out there has become a multimillionaire overnight.
The winning numbers that sealed this extraordinary victory were 06, 12, 18, 25, and 41, with the Lucky Star numbers 02 and 06. For those who religiously play every week, these digits now hold a special place in lottery lore. According to The National Lottery, this is the third time in 2025 that a UK ticket-holder has scooped the EuroMillions top prize, adding to what’s already been a remarkable year of British luck.
Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn—the company that operates The National Lottery—could barely contain his enthusiasm. Speaking to the press, Carter said, “What a fantastic night for EuroMillions players, as a single UK ticket-holder has scooped tonight’s £26M jackpot! That now makes it three UK EuroMillions jackpot wins so far this year, after one lucky ticket-holder won the £65 million jackpot on Valentine’s Day, and another lucky UK player won the £83 million jackpot in January.”
Carter’s call to action was clear: “Players are now urged to check their tickets and to give us a call if they think they are tonight’s lucky winner.” It’s a familiar refrain, but one that always carries a sense of urgency—especially when millions are at stake.
For the uninitiated, winning the EuroMillions jackpot isn’t just a matter of luck—it’s a feat of odds-defying chance. Players must select five numbers from 1 to 50, plus two Lucky Star numbers from 1 to 12. Matching all seven is the only way to claim the top prize, a challenge that keeps millions dreaming twice a week. The draw itself is held every Tuesday and Friday, with tickets available in nine European countries.
The Thunderball draw, which took place on the same Friday evening, also offered a smaller but still substantial top prize. The winning Thunderball numbers were 07, 16, 26, 31, and 37, with the Thunderball number 01. While the Thunderball jackpot is capped at £500,000, it remains a favorite among those hoping for a big win on a more modest scale.
Despite the thrill, Friday’s £26 million win won’t make the lucky ticket-holder one of the biggest winners in EuroMillions history. To crack the all-time top ten, a jackpot north of £183 million is needed. The UK’s largest-ever EuroMillions prize was a staggering £195 million, claimed in 2022. And just this past July, a family from Cork, Ireland, celebrated a €250 million (£216 million) win, with one family member humorously vowing, “I’ll still be having my favourite ham and cheese sambo for lunch every day,” as reported by BBC.
Winners in the UK have 180 days from the draw to claim their prize, and they face a pivotal decision: stay anonymous or step into the spotlight. The January winner of this year’s £83 million chose to keep their identity a secret, claiming the prize 13 days after the draw. Whether Friday’s victor will go public or opt for privacy remains to be seen.
But winning the lottery isn’t just about instant wealth. According to Allwyn, those who land the jackpot receive their winnings tax-free as a lump sum—no deductions, no waiting. What’s more, Allwyn provides a dedicated team of winners’ advisors, offering emotional, financial, and practical support to help navigate the sudden transformation from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s a safety net designed to help winners adjust, plan, and, hopefully, enjoy their new reality.
The EuroMillions isn’t just about making millionaires, though. It’s also a powerful engine for good across the UK. “Playing any National Lottery game is more than just a chance to win, it’s a way to contribute to something much bigger,” Carter emphasized. “Each week, players help generate around £30 million for National Lottery-funded projects.”
Since its launch in the 1990s, The National Lottery has raised over £50 billion for charitable causes. This funding has touched every corner of the UK, supporting projects in health, education, the environment, sport, the arts, and heritage. From empowering local community groups to preserving iconic British landmarks, the impact is felt in hundreds of postcode areas—often in ways that go unnoticed by the average player.
The Mirror recently highlighted the ripple effects of this funding, noting that participation in the lottery helps sustain hundreds of projects, from grassroots sports teams to major cultural institutions. “Players’ participation makes a difference every single day,” Carter reiterated, underscoring that every ticket bought is a small investment in the nation’s future.
It’s not just about the numbers, either. The lottery has become a cultural phenomenon, with studies even pinpointing the UK’s luckiest cities. Glasgow, for example, was recently named the third luckiest lottery-winning area in the country, with around 12 percent of residents per 100,000 having won more than a million pounds. That’s a statistic that keeps hope alive for many, week after week.
While the top prize naturally grabs headlines, the Thunderball and other National Lottery games continue to create smaller-scale winners and support good causes. The Friday night Thunderball numbers—07, 16, 26, 31, 37, and Thunderball 01—offered up to £500,000 to those who matched the right combination, proving that dreams can come true at every level.
For the lucky winner of the £26 million EuroMillions jackpot, the next steps are both thrilling and daunting. Will they choose to go public, or will they quietly begin a new chapter far from the media spotlight? Either way, their life has changed forever—and so, in a small way, has the country’s, thanks to the ongoing legacy of The National Lottery.
As Britain waits for the winner to come forward, one thing is certain: the EuroMillions continues to capture imaginations, transform lives, and fund the heart of the nation—one ticket at a time.
