Mega Millions jackpot rises to $800M, tenth-largest in history

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to an estimated $800 million, making it the tenth-largest prize in the history of the game. The increase follows a drawing on Friday, July 24, in which no ticket matched all six numbers, allowing the jackpot to roll over. The winning numbers for that drawing were not disclosed in the available information.

This massive prize affects lottery players across the United States who purchase tickets for the next drawing, now scheduled for Tuesday, July 28. The $800 million jackpot is for annuity payments spread over 30 years; most winners opt for a cash lump sum, which would be significantly lower. The exact cash value was not provided in the source.

The significance of this jackpot lies in its rarity: it is only the tenth time Mega Millions has reached such heights. Combined with the Powerball jackpot, which also rolled over, the two lotteries now offer over $1 billion in total prizes, drawing widespread attention and ticket sales.

Background: The jackpot grew from $743 million after the July 24 drawing produced no winner. A ticket worth $7.3 million was sold at a gas station in Palmdale, California, but that was for a lower-tier prize, not the jackpot. The last Mega Millions jackpot win occurred on June 9, 2020, when a ticket sold in Arizona won $1.1 billion.

Looking ahead, the next Mega Millions drawing will take place on Tuesday, July 28. If no one wins, the jackpot will continue to grow. Players are reminded that the odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 302.6 million.