Mega Millions FAQS

We've put together a collection of the most frequently asked Mega Millions questions, including how you can enter the Mega Millions draw and when the drawings take place. Find all the answers you might need to help you to start playing today - Good Luck!

When do Mega Millions drawings take place?+

The Mega Millions game has two draws every week. These are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 PM PT.

How can I enter Mega Millions?+

Entering Mega Millions is easy and you just need to visit your nearest California Lottery authorized retailer and ask for a ticket. Once you get a playslip, you need to choose five main numbers between 1 and 70, plus a Mega Ball between 1 and 25. You can also ask for a Quick Pick ticket if you want a random set of numbers. Visit the How to Play page to see more information about getting involved in the Mega Millions game.

What time does the draw entry close?+

Make sure you enter Mega Millions before 7:45 PM PT on the day of the draw.

How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost?+

The price of an entry is $2.

Can I enter multiple Mega Millions draws?+

The Advance Play option on your playslip allows you to enter up to 10 consecutive draws using the same numbers.

What is the minimum jackpot offered?+

Mega Millions offers a guaranteed minimum jackpot of $20 million which keeps on growing until it is won.

Is there a rollover limit or a jackpot cap?+

There is no rollover limit or cap for the Mega Millions jackpot. It just keeps on rolling over until a ticket (or more) matches all six winning numbers.

What is the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever won?+

The largest Mega Millions jackpot was won in Florida and it was worth $1.602 billion. The grand prize was claimed by Saltines Holdings, LLC and they took the cash option of $794.2 million. The winning ticket was sold at a Publix store in Neptune Beach. In California, the biggest Mega Millions jackpot was worth $543 million and it was won in July 2018 by a group of 11 co-workers from Santa Clara County. Each of them received approximately $50 million before taxes. On the Winners page you can read more about other big wins in the Golden State.

What are the odds of winning a prize?+

The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24 while the first prize has odds of winning of 1 in 302,575,350. Want to see the odds of winning for the other prizes too? Please check out the Odds and Prizes page .

How can I claim a prize I won?+

Were you lucky enough to win a prize? Make sure you claim your prize within 180 days from the draw date. You can get your winnings through various ways, from mailing in your ticket to visiting a lottery retailer, but check out the How to Claim page to see the available options based on the amount you won.