Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $324 Million Ahead of Friday Drawing

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has soared to an estimated $324 million for the drawing scheduled on Friday, March 21, 2025, following a series of rollovers and no winners in recent weeks. Players have the option of a one-time cash payout of $152.1 million if they match all six numbers.

The drawing will take place just after 11 p.m. ET on Friday. The previous jackpot, worth $113 million, was won on January 17 by a ticket purchased in Arizona. As of now, only four tickets have managed to match all six Mega Millions numbers in 2024, marking the lowest number of jackpots won in a calendar year since the game’s establishment in 2002.

The winning numbers for the upcoming drawing will be revealed during the event. Only a single ticket sold in Indiana matched five white balls in the last drawing to win a $1 million prize. Following this drawing, the next Mega Millions event will be on March 25, 2025.

To participate, players must purchase a ticket, which is priced at $2. These tickets can be obtained at various locations such as convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. In several states, tickets can also be bought online through the official lottery website or through the Jackpocket app, which serves as a digital lottery courier.

When filling out a lottery ticket, players select six numbers: five white balls ranging from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball from 1 to 25. If preferred, players can use a “Quick Pick” option for a random selection generated by the computer. A Megaplier feature, available for an extra $1, allows participants to multiply non-jackpot winnings by up to five times, depending on the drawn Megaplier ball.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are a staggering 1 in 302,575,350, while the odds of matching all five white balls stand at 1 in 12,607,306. Despite the long odds, players continue to chase the elusive jackpot, especially when it reaches substantial figures like this week’s.

Since its inception in 2002, Mega Millions has awarded several massive jackpots. The top prize of $1.602 billion was awarded in August 2023, along with numerous others that have surpassed the billion-dollar mark. The biggest lottery prizes in U.S. history combine both Powerball and Mega Millions winnings.

For any winner, cash options provide immediate payments, while annuity options include one upfront payment followed by 29 annual installments, increasing by 5% each year. This payment mechanism aims to safeguard winners’ purchasing power against inflation.

In some states, winners can remain anonymous. However, laws vary across jurisdictions, with certain states mandating that winners’ names and cities be made public. Interested players are encouraged to check the rules applicable to their state before purchasing tickets.

The excitement around Mega Millions continues to draw players from all over the country. As the jackpot climbs, many are left wondering: will you be the next lucky winner?