Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $256 Million for Tonight’s Drawing

ATLANTA, GA — The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has reached an estimated $256 million for the drawing scheduled for Tuesday night after no ticketholders matched all the winning numbers in the previous drawing. The cash option for the jackpot is $119.7 million, an enticing sum for any player.

The winning numbers for the drawing will be released shortly after 11 p.m. ET, following one of the game’s twice-weekly draws that occur every Tuesday and Friday. The last jackpot was claimed on January 17, 2025, when a single ticket holder in Arizona won $113 million.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are staggering, at 1 in 302,575,350, meaning players often joke about their chances. However, smaller prizes are significantly more achievable. For example, matching just the Mega Ball can win players $2, while matching all five white balls can net up to $1 million, depending on the state.

Tickets for Mega Millions cost $2 each, and players can opt for the “Megaplier,” an additional feature that costs $1 and can multiply non-jackpot prizes by two to five times. According to Mega Millions, the Megaplier is drawn before the main numbers on each draw night and consists of 15 balls, each marked with different multiplier values.

“We see more players each week as the jackpot grows,” said a spokesperson for the Mega Millions lottery. “Everyone dreams of hitting the big one, but even the smaller wins can change lives.”

Players can purchase tickets at various locations, including grocery stores and gas stations, while some states also allow ticket purchases online. The deadline for buying tickets varies by state, often closing as early as 15 minutes before the draw.

The Mega Millions remains a popular game across the nation, and since its inception in 2002, it has amassed many record-breaking jackpots, such as the $1.602 billion prize won in Florida in 2023. Those winnings continue to ignite interest in the game, as players hold onto the hope of winning big.

The upcoming drawing will take place on March 14, 2025, providing players another chance to enter the game and potentially alter their financial futures.