Topline
The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $604 million—the biggest lottery prize of the year so far—after no tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Tuesday night, although the eventual winner will take home a much smaller payout after taxes and deductions.
The Mega Millions jackpot soared past $600 million, making it the biggest lottery prize of 2026 so far.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The six numbers drawn on Tuesday night were 2, 31, 35, 36, 63 and Mega Ball 12.
If a winner emerges in the next draw, they will get to choose between taking the $604 million split over 30 annual installments or receiving a one-time lump-sum payout of $266.3 million—the preferred option for most winners.
If the cash payout is chosen, the winnings will first drop to around $202.4 million after a mandatory 24% federal withholding is applied.
The winner is likely to face a federal marginal rate as high as 37%, depending on their overall taxable income, further slashing their winnings to around $167.8 million.
If the installment option is chosen, the winner’s annual payments of around $20.1 million would fall to $12.7 million after the 37% federal marginal tax rate is applied.
Depending on where they live, the winner could face additional taxes, as some states, such as New York, tax lottery winnings at 10.9%, while others, such as Texas, Florida, and California, don’t.
Big Number
1-in-290.4 million. Those are the astronomical odds a ticket buyer will need to overcome to win the Mega Millions jackpot. This is slightly better than the Powerball jackpot’s even poorer odds of 1-in-292.2 million.
What To Watch For?
The next Mega Millions jackpot draw will take place on Friday night. The Powerball jackpot, which has risen to $434 million, will have its next drawing on Wednesday night.
Key Background
A Mega Millions ticket buyer from Illinois claimed the biggest lottery prize of the year so far in March after they won a $533 million jackpot. The biggest Powerball jackpot of the year so far is a $250.8 million prize claimed by a lottery player from Arkansas.
further reading
Mega Millions Jackpot Rises To $542 Million—Here’s What The Winner Could Take Home After Taxes (Forbes)
Leave a comment