The Mega Millions drawing can be seen on several channels across the country. Mega Millions is one of the two major national lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. The drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET (10 p.m. CT/MT/PT).
Mega Millions Drawing TV Channels
The Mega Millions drawings are televised across the country on various local television stations. The exact channel depends on your location and cable/satellite provider. Here are some of the major channels that air the Mega Millions drawings:
- In New York and the Tri-State area, the drawings are shown on WABC-TV Channel 7 (ABC affiliate)
- In Los Angeles, KCAL 9 (CBS owned-and-operated station)
- In Chicago, WGN-TV Channel 9 (Nexstar Media Group-owned independent station)
- In Philadelphia, WTXF-TV Channel 29 (Fox owned-and-operated station)
- In Dallas-Fort Worth, KTVT Channel 11 (CBS owned-and-operated station)
- In Washington, D.C., WJLA-TV Channel 7 (ABC affiliate)
- In Boston, WBZ-TV Channel 4 (CBS owned-and-operated station)
- In Atlanta, WSB-TV Channel 2 (ABC affiliate)
- In Houston, KHOU Channel 11 (CBS affiliate)
- In Detroit, WDIV-TV Channel 4 (NBC affiliate)
In addition to local stations, some national cable channels also air the Mega Millions drawings. These include:
- CNN
- HLN
- Fox Business Network
You can check your local TV listings to find the exact channel that airs the drawings in your area. The Mega Millions website also has a list of participating television stations.
Watching the Drawings Online
If you don’t have access to the Mega Millions drawing telecast on TV, you can also watch it online:
- The Mega Millions website streams the drawings live on draw nights.
- Many state lottery websites also stream the drawings (either live or replays).
- The Mega Millions YouTube channel uploads the drawing videos after they take place.
- News websites like CNN.com provide live streaming on draw nights.
Online streaming allows you to watch the Mega Millions drawing live from anywhere, on your phone, computer or tablet. You can visit the website or app before the drawing to find the video link.
Checking Mega Millions Numbers
If you miss the Mega Millions drawing on TV or online, there are many ways to check the latest winning numbers:
- The Mega Millions website shows the most recent results.
- Most state lottery websites post the numbers shortly after the drawing.
- Newspaper websites often display the numbers.
- The winning numbers are typically included on TV news tickers and news websites.
- Mobile apps like Lottery Results can send you push notifications with the numbers.
You can generally find the Mega Millions results anywhere lottery numbers are posted, including gas station and convenience store displays. Remember that it’s important to check your ticket against the official Mega Millions results posted by your state lottery.
Mega Millions Drawings Timeline
Here is a brief timeline of the Mega Millions drawings:
- 9:45 p.m. ET – Lottery machines start spitting out the Mega Millions balls.
- 10:00 p.m. ET – The drawings are televised in participating jurisdictions.
- 10:15 p.m. ET – Initial results are posted on MegaMillions.com.
- 10:45 p.m. ET – Mega Millions numbers appear on local newscasts.
- 11:00 p.m. ET – Mega Millions YouTube video is uploaded.
This is the typical timeline on draw nights. The drawings may be slightly delayed on occasion, but numbers are generally available within an hour of the balls being selected.
How to Win Mega Millions
You win the Mega Millions jackpot by matching all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. The odds of doing this are about 1 in 303 million. Here are the other prize levels:
| Match | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 302,575,350 | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | 1 in 12,607,306 | $1,000,000 |
| 4 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 | $10,000 |
| 4 white balls | 1 in 38,792 | $500 |
| 3 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 | $200 |
| 3 white balls | 1 in 606 | $10 |
| 2 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 693 | $10 |
| 1 white ball + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 | $4 |
| Mega Ball only | 1 in 37 | $2 |
As you can see, matching even just the Mega Ball offers a $2 prize. Overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots
Here are the top 10 biggest Mega Millions jackpots to date:
| Amount | Date | Winning Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| $1.537 billion | October 23, 2018 | 1 (SC) |
| $1.05 billion | January 22, 2021 | 1 (MI) |
| $656 million | March 30, 2012 | 3 (IL, KS, MD) |
| $648 million | December 17, 2013 | 2 (CA, GA) |
| $543 million | July 24, 2018 | 1 (CA) |
| $536 million | July 8, 2016 | 1 (IN) |
| $533 million | March 30, 2018 | 1 (NJ) |
| $522 million | June 7, 2019 | 1 (CA) |
| $451 million | January 5, 2018 | 1 (FL) |
| $437 million | January 1, 2019 | 1 (NY) |
As you can see, the top prizes have all exceeded half a billion dollars. The current record Mega Millions jackpot of $1.537 billion was won on October 23, 2018.
Recent Jackpot Winners
Here are some of the most recent large Mega Millions jackpot winners:
- January 22, 2021: $1.05 billion won in Michigan.
- September 15, 2020: $120 million won in Wisconsin.
- July 31, 2020: $22 million won in California.
- June 9, 2020: $410 million won in Arizona.
- February 11, 2020: $202 million won in New Jersey.
- January 14, 2020: $372 million won in Ohio.
- December 17, 2019: $375 million won in Ohio.
- October 4, 2019: $227 million won in South Carolina.
- June 7, 2019: $522 million won in California.
- March 8, 2019: $273 million won in New Jersey.
Jackpots start at $20 million and grow based on game sales and rolls. The biggest prizes are usually won when the jackpot has had time to increase for several months.
Changes to Mega Millions
Mega Millions has made some changes over the years to boost prizes and chances of winning:
- October 2017 – Increased number pool from 1-75 to 1-70.
- October 2017 – Decreased Mega Ball pool from 1-15 to 1-25.
- October 2013 – Reduced main ball pool by 10 (56+1).
- January 2012 – Price doubled from $1 to $2 per play.
- January 2011 – Increased starting jackpots from $12 million.
These changes have reshaped the game and led to record jackpots. The current Mega Millions format and matrix has been in place since October 2017.
Megaplier Option
Except in California, Mega Millions players can pay an extra $1 for the Megaplier option, which increases non-jackpot winnings:
| Megaplier Number Drawn | Prize Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2x |
| 3 | 3x |
| 4 | 4x |
| 5 | 5x |
For example, matching 4 numbers would normally win $500, but with Megaplier it could be $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the multiplier drawn. The Megaplier does not apply to the jackpot prize.
Where Mega Millions Ticket Sales Go
Mega Millions tickets sales are split as follows:
- 50% to prizes.
- Up to 50% to state funds like education, senior programs, etc.
- Remainder covers retailer commissions, lottery operating costs.
On average, about half of each dollar wagered goes to funding state government programs and services. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Probability of Winning
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are about 1 in 302 million. Here are some unlikely events that are more likely to happen:
- Being killed by a meteorite – 1 in 700,000
- Bowling a 300 game – 1 in 11,500
- Getting a hole in one – 1 in 12,500
- Becoming president – 1 in 10 million
While winning the jackpot is extremely difficult, your overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are around 1 in 24.
Tips for Winning
There is no way to predict or influence the numbers drawn in Mega Millions. However, experts offer these general tips for boosting your chances:
- Buy more tickets – this increases your odds mathematically.
- Join an office pool – group tickets can buy more number combinations.
- Use random numbers – avoid patterns and spreads.
- Stick with your hunches – some people trust their “lucky” numbers.
Though the numbers are random, playing consistently, especially when the jackpot is bigger, can very slightly improve your chances over time.
Mega Millions FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Mega Millions:
What days are the Mega Millions drawings?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET (10 p.m. CT/MT/PT).
What is the cutoff time for buying Mega Millions tickets?
Sales cut-off times vary by jurisdiction, but usually range from one to two hours before that night’s drawing at 10 or 11 p.m. local time.
Can you buy Mega Millions tickets online?
Yes, Mega Millions tickets can be purchased online in some states through lottery websites and mobile apps. You must be within state borders when playing.
How old do you need to be to play Mega Millions?
You must be at least 18 years old to buy Mega Millions tickets in most participating states.
How long do you have to claim your prize?
Mega Millions claims periods vary by state but are generally between 90 days and 1 year following the drawing.
What are the taxes on Mega Millions winnings?
A 25% federal tax withholding is taken out upfront on jackpots, which can be higher if you take the lump sum. State taxes also apply.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. ET. They can be seen on local television stations across the country as well as by live online streaming. Winning the jackpot starts by matching 5 numbers from 1-70 plus the Mega Ball from 1-25. While the odds are long, smaller prizes are there for matching even just one number correctly. With Mega Millions fever running high whenever the jackpot exceeds $500 million or more, checking the results has become a routine part of many Americans’ lives. Remember to buy your tickets early for the next Mega Millions drawing!
