If you’ve been eagerly waiting for the next Mega Millions drawing, the suspense is finally over! The winning numbers are in for the Friday, September 26 drawing, which has an estimated jackpot of $474 million (or a $219.4 million cash option).
Think you might be the lucky winner? Here’s everything you need to know about the Mega Millions jackpot and tonight’s official winning numbers.
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What Were the Mega Millions Winning Numbers for Friday, Sept. 26?
The official winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing are: 4, 21, 27, 33 and 49. The Mega Ball is 21.
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Did Anyone Win Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot?
According to the Mega Millions website, winner results are still being compiled and will be available soon.
When Will the Next Mega Millions Drawing Take Place?
The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:00 p.m. (EST). If nobody wins Friday’s lottery, it’ll have an estimated jackpot of $497 million.
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How Much Does a Mega Millions Ticket Cost?
Mega Millions tickets cost $5.00 each and include a multiplier.
How Late Can You Purchase a Mega Millions Ticket?
The deadline to purchase a Mega Millions ticket varies by state. Many places allow tickets to be sold up to 15 minutes before the drawing takes place, around 10:45 p.m. (EST). However, it’s always best to check ahead of time with your local state lottery.
Where Can You Buy Lottery Tickets?
In order to play the Mega Millions, you’ll first need to purchase a ticket. Depending on your location, these can be found at participating gas stations, supermarkets and local convenience stores. Some states even allow you to buy them online.
How Do You Play Mega Millions?
When buying your ticket, you’ll need to pick six different numbers. Five of them correspond to white balls, with numbers ranging from 1 to 70. For the golden Mega Ball, you’ll need to select a number between 1 and 24. If you’re in a hurry, though, you can always ask for a “Quick Pick,” which allows the computer to randomly select the numbers for you.
Once you’ve made your selection, simply wait until the drawing takes place. These are held every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. (EST).
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How Do You Know if You Won the Mega Millions Jackpot?
To determine if you were the lucky winner, simply check the Mega Millions website on the night of the drawing. You can also watch the event (live) on YouTube.
How Do You Collect Your Winnings for the Mega Millions?
To claim your prize, you’ll need to follow the specific rules and procedures for the state where the ticket was bought. Some smaller prizes can be collected at lottery retailers, while larger sums will need to be collected in person.
For jackpots, you’ll have the option of a lump-sum cash payment or an annual payout (sometimes called the “Annuity Option”). The latter provides an initial payment, followed by 29 annual payments. According to the official rules, each payment will be 5% larger than the previous one. If more than one person wins, the money is split (evenly) with the other winners.
Did Mega Millions Get Rid of the Megaplier?
Yes! Unlike previous drawings, the Mega Millions tickets now have a built-in multiplier that’s included with every purchase. This automatically increases prizes (non-jackpot) by a factor of two, three, four, five or 10 times.
What Are the Different Prizes for Mega Millions?
While there’s only one way to win the Mega Millions jackpot (i.e., matching all five white balls, plus the golden Mega Ball), there are several smaller prizes offered as well. Here is a breakdown of all the Mega Millions prizes, along with the overall odds of winning:
- Match 5 + Mega Ball = Jackpot (1 in 290,472,336 odds)
- Match 5 = $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 (1 in 12,629,232 odds)
- Match 4 + Mega Ball = $20,000 to $100,000 (1 in 893,761 odds)
- Match 4 = $1,000 to $5,000 (1 in 38,859 odds)
- Match 3 + Mega Ball = $400 to $2,000 (1 in 13,965 odds)
- Match 3 = $20 to $100 (1 in 607 odds)
- Match 2 + Mega Ball = $20 to $100 (1 in 665 odds)
- Match 1 + Mega Ball $14 to $70 (1 in 86 odds)
- Mega Ball Only = $10 to $50 (1 in 35 odds)
What Are Your Chances of Winning the Mega Millions Jackpot?
To correctly match all five white balls (along with the Mega Ball), your chances of winning are 1 in 290,472,336.
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