One lucky UK lottery player is waking up to a life-changing fortune after winning the £26 million EuroMillions jackpot in Friday night’s draw, as confirmed by The National Lottery on October 4, 2025. The extraordinary win marks the third time this year that a UK ticket-holder has scooped the EuroMillions top prize—a streak that has both excited regular players and set social media abuzz with speculation about the identity of the latest multimillionaire.
According to The National Lottery, the winning numbers for the October 3 draw were 06, 12, 18, 25, and 41, with Lucky Star numbers 02 and 06. The announcement, made late Friday night, has prompted a flurry of ticket-checking across the country, with thousands hoping they might be the fortunate winner. For those who tried their luck in the Thunderball draw, the winning numbers were 07, 16, 26, 31, and 37, with the Thunderball number 01.
This latest jackpot follows two other major UK EuroMillions wins in 2025: an £83 million windfall in January and a romantic £65 million prize claimed on Valentine’s Day. As reported by The National Lottery, these three wins in less than a year have cemented the UK’s reputation as a hotspot for EuroMillions luck. The frequency of such massive wins has become a talking point among both seasoned lottery players and casual participants, with many wondering if 2025 is shaping up to be the luckiest year yet for British ticket-holders.
Andy Carter, the senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn—the operator of The National Lottery—was quick to celebrate the news and encourage players to check their tickets. In a statement shared with The Independent and other outlets, 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 £65M jackpot on Valentine's Day, and another lucky UK player won the £83M jackpot in January. Players are now urged to check their tickets and to give us a call if they think they are tonight's lucky winner."
But the excitement of winning isn’t the only story here. Carter also highlighted the broader impact of lottery participation, noting that every ticket purchased helps fund a wide range of projects across the country. "Playing any National Lottery game is more than just a chance to win, it's a way to contribute to something much bigger. Each week, players help generate around £30M for National Lottery-funded projects. With over £50 billion raised for good causes since launch, this funds hundreds of projects in every postcode area across the UK. From supporting the arts and sport sectors, to empowering local community groups and preserving iconic British landmarks, players' participation makes a difference every single day," Carter explained, as quoted by Daily Mail.
This philanthropic element is a cornerstone of the National Lottery’s mission. Since its inception, the lottery has become a major source of funding for a diverse array of initiatives, including grassroots sports clubs, youth organizations, heritage sites, and cultural institutions. In fact, the £30 million generated each week supports hundreds of projects, making a tangible difference in communities from Cornwall to the Highlands. As the National Lottery points out, over £50 billion has been raised for good causes to date—an amount that underscores the scale of its contribution to British society.
For many, the appeal of the lottery lies not just in the dream of sudden riches, but also in knowing that a portion of their ticket price goes towards projects that benefit others. This dual purpose—offering hope to individuals while supporting national priorities—has helped the National Lottery maintain its popularity even as new forms of gaming and entertainment have emerged. And with stories like Friday’s jackpot win, it’s easy to see why so many people continue to play.
Of course, the identity of the latest winner remains a mystery for now. As is customary, the National Lottery has not released any personal details, urging all players to check their tickets carefully and come forward if they believe they hold the winning combination. The process for claiming such a large prize is thorough, with safeguards in place to verify the winner’s identity and ensure the payout is made securely. Past winners have often described the experience as surreal, with emotions ranging from disbelief to overwhelming joy.
While the nation waits to learn more about the newest multimillionaire, the story has sparked fresh interest in the EuroMillions and the National Lottery more broadly. Some are already speculating about what the winner might do with their newfound fortune—will they buy a mansion, travel the world, or quietly invest for the future? Others are simply enjoying the vicarious thrill, imagining what it would be like to wake up £26 million richer.
Meanwhile, those who didn’t win this time are already looking ahead to the next draw. The EuroMillions, which is played across nine European countries, has created more than 100 UK millionaires since its launch. Its appeal lies in the staggering size of its jackpots, which routinely dwarf those of other lottery games. And with every ticket sold, another contribution is made to the ongoing work of the National Lottery’s good causes fund.
It’s worth noting that while the odds of winning the EuroMillions jackpot are famously long, the game continues to attract millions of players each week. For some, it’s a cherished ritual—buying a ticket, picking numbers, and dreaming about what might be. For others, it’s a way to support causes they care about, from local sports teams to national heritage sites. As Andy Carter pointed out, "Players' participation makes a difference every single day."
For now, the UK celebrates another landmark win, and the search is on to find the country’s newest multimillionaire. Whether they choose to go public or remain anonymous, their life has changed forever—and so, in a way, has the community around them, thanks to the ongoing support generated by every National Lottery ticket sold.
With another major jackpot in the books, the National Lottery’s unique blend of excitement, hope, and community impact shows no signs of fading. As the next draw approaches, millions will once again take a chance, inspired by the knowledge that sometimes, just sometimes, dreams really do come true.
