Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $843 Million, Highest Since Ticket Price Increase

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to its highest level since the multistate lottery raised ticket prices to $5 in April, lottery officials announced. The prize for Friday’s drawing is estimated at $843 million.

The jackpot has been climbing steadily since June 27, when a player in Virginia claimed a $348 million prize. Since that win, no ticket has matched all six winning numbers — 11, 14, 17, 50, 57, and Mega Ball 6. So far this year, four jackpots have been won.

The last time the jackpot was higher was when a California woman took home $1.269 billion, marking one of the largest prizes in the game’s history. Friday’s $843 million pot now ranks as the eighth largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.

Winners can choose between receiving the full $843 million in 29 annual payments through an annuity or opting for a one-time lump sum of $391.7 million — a choice most winners make.

The odds of matching all six numbers stand at roughly 1 in 290 million, while matching only the five white balls — without the Mega Ball — wins at least $1 million, with odds of 1 in 12.6 million.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The only states that do not participate are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.