Mega Millions Prize Climbs to $843 Million Ahead of Friday Drawing

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $843 million, positioning Friday night’s drawing as the eighth-largest top prize in the game’s 23-year history. The drawing is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET on Nov. 7, and ticket sales will close shortly beforehand in most jurisdictions.

This pot has been building since a $348 million ticket was claimed in Virginia on June 27. Friday’s event will mark the 38th consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner, surpassing every previous run and establishing the longest streak since Mega Millions debuted in 2002. The prior record—37 drawings—ended on Jan. 22, 2021 when a player in Michigan secured a $1.050 billion prize.

Although no one has captured the top award for more than four months, smaller prizes have continued to accumulate. Approximately 11.7 million tickets have won at least one payout during the current sequence, according to game officials, generating more than $274 million in non-jackpot winnings. The total reflects enhanced lower-tier prizes introduced last April, which increased payouts for matching fewer numbers.

Within those lower tiers, 256 tickets have earned third-tier prizes ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. In the most recent drawing on Nov. 4 alone, 606,046 tickets produced winnings that added up to about $12.2 million nationwide.

Earlier this year, four jackpots were claimed before the current streak began. Players in:

• Arizona won $112 million on Jan. 17;
• Illinois collected $349 million on Mar. 25;
• Ohio secured $112 million on Apr. 18;
• Virginia captured $348 million on Jun. 27.

The game maintains odds of 1 in 290,472,336 for hitting all six numbers required to win the jackpot. Tickets cost $5 per play and are available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players select five white balls from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball from 1 to 25; matching all six secures the top prize.

While Friday’s $843 million estimate is substantial, it remains below the record-setting $1.6 billion jackpot awarded on Aug. 8, 2023. A complete list of historic jackpots is maintained by the game’s organizers and can be reviewed on the official Mega Millions website.

The current jackpot total is based on the annuity option, which pays winners in 30 graduated installments over 29 years. A single cash payment is usually offered as an alternative, though the exact lump-sum amount will be determined after ticket sales close and final revenue figures are calculated.

Imagem: Internet

Lottery administrators advise players to check winning numbers promptly and, if successful, to sign the back of the ticket, secure it in a safe place, and consult state-specific guidelines on prize claims. Individual states dictate redemption periods—typically ranging from 90 days to one year—and establish their own procedures for claiming large prizes.

For those considering participation, financial experts often recommend that winners assemble a team of legal and tax advisors before collecting any large windfall. Guidance on handling substantial lottery winnings is also available from reputable organizations such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Players must be at least 18 years old in most jurisdictions, though some states set higher age requirements. Proceeds from ticket sales support various state programs, which commonly include education, public safety, and infrastructure funding.

The next drawing’s final jackpot figure could rise further if ticket sales exceed expectations before sales cut off. Should no ticket match all six numbers on Friday night, the jackpot will roll again, continuing the unprecedented run.

Crédito da imagem: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images