Mega Millions nears $500M ahead of Friday draw

The Mega Millions jackpot is nearing the half-billion mark ahead of the drawing on Friday, June 26, now estimated at $489 million with a $220.9 million cash option.

The prize has been building for more than three months without a winner, setting up one of the biggest drawings of the year. If someone hits the jackpot, they can choose a lump-sum payment or an annuity that increases 5% annually.

There have been only two Mega Millions jackpot winners in 2026 so far. The last time someone won the big prize was more than three months ago, when a person from Ohio took home $60 million on St. Patrick's Day.

With Friday’s Mega Millions drawing only hours away, here is what you need to know.

What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 6/26/2026?

USA TODAY will post the winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions lottery after the drawing at 11 p.m. ET

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 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 lottery played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. 

You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. In the event of multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared.

How to play the Mega Millions

To play the Mega Millions, you have to buy a ticket. You can do this at several locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or even grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be bought online.

Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24.

If you’re feeling especially unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick.” These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you.

Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. Before, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the "Megaplier.”

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