Mega Millions winning numbers as jackpot climbs to $215M for May 8

Mega Millions is back at $215 million, with $95.2 million in cash on the line as the lottery drawing on Friday, May 8 looms.

A single winning ticket would trigger a big decision: take the lump sum upfront or lock in 30 years of payments that grow by 5% annually. The jackpot surge comes after major wins earlier this year, including a $60 million prize in Ohio and a $533 million jackpot in Illinois.

Here's what you need to know Friday’s Mega Millions drawing, including winning numbers.

What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 5/8/2026?

The winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions lottery drawing are 37, 47, 49, 51 and 58. The Mega Ball is 16.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 11 p.m. ET.

Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots

• $1.602 billion on Aug. 8, 2023 in Florida
• $1.537 billion on Oct. 23, 2018 in South Carolina
• $1.348 billion on Jan. 1, 2023 in Maine
• $1.337 billion on July 29, 2022 in Illinois
• $1.269 billion on Dec. 27, 2024 in California
• $1.128 billion on Mar. 26, 2024 in New Jersey
• $1.05 billion on Jan 22, 2021 in Michigan
• $983 million on Nov. 14, 2025 in Georgia
• $810 million on Sept. 10, 2024 in Texas
• $656 million on March 30, 2012 in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland

What is Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is a multistate lottery played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, known for jackpots that can soar into the hundreds of millions.

Tickets cost $5. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24, or let the lottery randomly select numbers with Quick Pick/Easy Pick. Match all six numbers to win the jackpot. If more than one ticket hits, the prize is shared.

How to play the Mega Millions

To play Mega Millions, buy a ticket at a convenience store, gas station, grocery store, or depending on your state, online through official lottery outlets.

Players select six numbers: five white balls from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball from 1 to 24. Don’t want to choose? Select Quick Pick or Easy Pick, which randomly generates numbers for you.

Every ticket includes a built‑in multiplier that boosts non‑jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x. The multiplier is automatically applied and included in the ticket price, replacing the former add‑on Megaplier.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.