The Mega Millions lottery drawing on Friday, December 26, 2025, featured an estimated jackpot of $125 million. Players had a cash option of $56.9 million. This jackpot follows a previous win in New Jersey where a player took home $90 million on December 2, 2025. The Powerball jackpot, in contrast, stood at $20 million after a staggering $1.817 billion was won on December 24, 2025.
Winning Numbers for December 26, 2025
The winning numbers for the Mega Millions draw were:
- 9
- 19
- 31
- 63
- 64
- Megaball: 7
How to Play Mega Millions
Playing Mega Millions is straightforward. Each ticket costs $5 and allows players to select five white ball numbers from 1 to 70, along with one Mega Ball number from a pool of 1 to 24. A Quick Pick option is available for those who prefer a random selection.
To claim any prize, players must match at least one number, specifically the Mega Ball, to win a minimum of $10. A match of all five white balls (excluding California) awards at least $2 million.
Jackpot Payout Options
Winners of the Mega Millions jackpot can choose between two payout methods: an annuity or a lump sum cash option. The annuity provides payments over 30 years, while the cash option is a reduced sum paid immediately.
Ticket Purchase Information
Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah are unable to purchase tickets. Lottery tickets can be bought at various retail locations, including:
- Gas stations
- Convenience stores
- Grocery stores
- Some airport terminals
Additionally, the lottery app Jackpocket allows ticket purchases online in multiple states, including New Jersey and New York.
Winning Odds & Ticket Deadlines
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 290 million. Players are encouraged to check the buying deadlines in their states, usually ranging up to an hour before the drawing.
Notable Mega Millions Jackpots
Some of the largest Mega Millions jackpots have included:
- $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023, Florida
- $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018, South Carolina
- $1.348 billion – January 13, 2022, Maine
- $1.337 billion – July 29, 2022, Illinois
- $1.269 billion – December 27, 2024, California
For the latest updates and jackpot information, visit El-Balad.
