Mega Millions is a multi-state game offered in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In April 2025 the game was redesigned, so older articles may describe rules that no longer apply. Here is how a drawing works today.
When and where
Drawings are held twice a week, Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, and are conducted in Atlanta, Georgia by the Georgia Lottery. Ticket sales close shortly before the drawing; the cutoff varies by state.
The balls and machines
Two machines are used. One holds 70 white balls, the other holds 24 gold Mega Balls. Five white balls and one Mega Ball are drawn at random under the supervision of lottery officials and independent auditors.
What the numbers mean
- You pick five white numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 24.
- The white numbers can match in any order. The Mega Ball is matched on its own.
- The jackpot goes to the ticket matching all six numbers, at odds of 1 in 290,472,336.
What changed in April 2025
The ticket price rose from $2 to $5. The separate Megaplier add-on was replaced by a built-in multiplier that can raise non-jackpot prizes, and the Mega Ball pool was reduced from 25 to 24 balls. Check the official Mega Millions site for the current prize table.
Jackpots and rollovers
If nobody matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over and grows. The advertised amount is the annuity value, paid over 30 years, and winners can choose the smaller cash option. See today’s estimate on our Mega Millions results page.
How to follow a drawing
We post the winning numbers shortly after the official data is published, and each game page has a live countdown to the next drawing.
Want the math? Read our odds explainer, then learn how to check your ticket.
GoWinLotto is an independent site and is not affiliated with any lottery. Figures above are published game rules and can change; confirm details with the official game website or your state lottery. Lottery drawings are random, no tool can predict them, and tickets should be treated as entertainment. Need help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.