The Mega Millions jackpot has entered the game’s all-time top ten after no ticket matched all six winning numbers in Friday night’s drawing.
Article summary
- Mega Millions has reached an estimated $800 million for Tuesday, July 28.
- The estimated one-time cash option is $344.2 million before applicable taxes.
- No ticket matched all six numbers in the July 24 drawing.
- The prize is currently the tenth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.
- A Mega Millions play costs $5 and includes a multiplier for eligible non-jackpot prizes.
What happened?
The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $800 million for the drawing scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
The jackpot increased after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Friday, July 24. The winning numbers were 2, 5, 42, 44 and 60, with 1 as the gold Mega Ball.
The drawing still produced 500,257 winning tickets across the game’s different prize tiers, according to Mega Millions. Those tickets collected almost $10.1 million in prizes nationwide.
Thirteen tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball. Their prizes varied according to the randomly assigned multiplier attached to each play and, in California, the state’s pari-mutuel prize rules.
The jackpot has now rolled through 37 consecutive drawings since a ticket sold in Ohio won the grand prize on March 17, 2026.
Mega Millions reports that more than 10.2 million winning tickets have collected almost $252.4 million in non-jackpot prizes during the current jackpot run.
Why the $800 million jackpot matters
The advertised $800 million jackpot is now the tenth-largest prize in Mega Millions history. It is also the game’s largest advertised jackpot since a $983 million prize was won in Georgia in November 2025.
However, the headline amount does not represent the immediate cash payment a winner would receive.
The $800 million figure is the estimated value of the annuity option. A sole winner choosing the one-time cash payment would currently receive an estimated $344.2 million before federal and any applicable state taxes.
Both amounts remain estimates. The advertised jackpot and cash option may be adjusted before the drawing based on ticket sales and other financial calculations used by the participating lotteries.
Annuity or cash: what is the difference?
A jackpot winner generally chooses between receiving the advertised prize through an annuity or accepting a smaller one-time cash payment.
$800 million estimated
The annuity consists of one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each annual payment is 5% larger than the previous payment.
$344.2 million estimated
The cash option is a single lump-sum payment based on the cash held in the jackpot prize pool. Applicable taxes would reduce the final amount received.
Anyone who wins a major lottery prize should consider obtaining independent legal, tax and financial advice before claiming the ticket or selecting a payment option.
What players should know
- The drawing is Tuesday, July 28, at 11 p.m. ET. Local ticket-sale deadlines vary, so players should check the rules published by their participating state lottery.
- Each Mega Millions play costs $5. A randomly assigned multiplier is included and applies to eligible non-jackpot prizes.
- The jackpot odds are 1 in 290,472,336. A larger advertised jackpot does not improve the probability that an individual ticket will win.
- Buy only from an authorized seller. Approved retail and online purchasing options differ between jurisdictions.
- Protect physical tickets. Sign the back where appropriate, store the ticket securely and follow the claim instructions issued by the relevant lottery.
- Be cautious of lottery scams. A legitimate lottery will not unexpectedly contact someone about a drawing they did not enter or demand an upfront payment to release a prize.
- Set a fixed entertainment budget. Never use money needed for housing, food, bills, savings or other essential expenses.
How Mega Millions currently works
Players choose five different white-ball numbers from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. A Quick Pick or Easy Pick can generate the numbers automatically.
Matching all five white balls and the Mega Ball wins the jackpot. When more than one ticket matches the complete combination, the jackpot prize is divided between the winning tickets.
Mega Millions has nine prize tiers. Each $5 play includes a randomly assigned multiplier of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X for eligible non-jackpot prizes.
California calculates non-jackpot prizes using pari-mutuel rules. Consequently, prize amounts in California may differ from the fixed amounts advertised in other participating jurisdictions.
The size of the jackpot may make the drawing more exciting, but the odds remain extremely long. Lottery tickets should be treated as entertainment rather than an investment or a reliable way to earn money.
Lottery games and sweepstakes casinos are different
Mega Millions is a multi-jurisdiction lottery game offered through participating government lotteries. It is not a sweepstakes casino promotion. Lottery tickets, casino-style sweepstakes offers and promotional currencies operate under different rules, purchasing systems and prize-claim procedures.
What happens next?
The next drawing will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 11 p.m. Eastern Time in Atlanta, Georgia.
If one or more tickets match all six numbers, the available jackpot will be awarded or divided between the winning tickets. If nobody wins the jackpot, the prize will roll forward and a new estimate will be announced for the Friday drawing.
The $800 million estimate could also increase before Tuesday night if national ticket sales exceed the assumptions used to calculate the advertised amount.
American Casino Sweeps will continue covering major lottery prizes, unusual wins and other developments that may interest players.
