The Mega Millions lottery on October 21, 2025, featured a staggering jackpot of $650 million, with a cash option available for $304.1 million. This significant prize marks the 10th largest Mega Millions jackpot in history. The last time someone claimed the jackpot was on June 27, when a player from Virginia won $348 million.
Current Mega Millions and Powerball Jackpots
In tandem with the Mega Millions, the Powerball jackpot stands at $320 million, offering a cash option of $152.2 million.
Winning Numbers for October 21, 2025
- 2
- 18
- 27
- 34
- 59
- Megaball: 18
Ticket Price and Prize Structure Changes
As of April 8, the Mega Millions ticket price increased from $2 to $5. This change also introduced a multiplier option for an additional dollar, giving tickets a random multiplier of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X at purchase.
Prize Payouts Updates
- Jackpot: Remains unchanged.
- Five white balls: Increased from $1 million to between $2 million and $10 million.
- Four white balls plus a Mega Ball: Increased from $10,000 to between $20,000 and $100,000.
- Four white balls: Increased from $500 to between $1,000 and $5,000.
- Three white balls plus a Mega Ball: Increased from $200 to between $400 and $2,000.
- Three white balls: Increased from $10 to between $20 and $100.
- Two white balls plus a Mega Ball: Increased from $10 to between $20 and $100.
- One white ball plus a Mega Ball: Increased from $4 to between $14 and $70.
- Mega Ball: Increased from $2 to between $10 and $50.
Playing Mega Millions
To participate in Mega Millions, players must pay $5 for a ticket, which allows them to choose five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. Alternatively, they can opt for a Quick Pick generated by the lottery machine.
Lottery tickets are available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah being notable exceptions.
Buying Tickets and Deadlines
Tickets can be purchased at various locations, including gas stations and grocery stores. Online ticket purchases are also possible through the Jackpocket app in select states.
The deadline for ticket purchases varies by state, often ranging from 15 minutes to an hour prior to the drawing at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 290,472,336. Regardless of these challenging odds, many players eagerly participate for their chance to win life-altering sums.
Cash Option and Anonymity for Winners
Winners can choose between annuity payments received over time or a lump-sum cash option. Certain states, like New Jersey, offer the ability for winners to remain anonymous.
Noteworthy Mega Millions Jackpots
| Jackpot Amount | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| $1.602 billion | August 8, 2023 | Florida |
| $1.537 billion | October 23, 2018 | South Carolina |
| $1.348 billion | January 13, 2023 | Maine |
| $650 million | October 21, 2025 | Unknown |
As excitement grows around the Mega Millions lottery, players are reminded to play responsibly and be aware of scams targeting lottery participants.
