Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million tonight. What a winner could actually take home
Mega Millions could hit $1 billion in September if it keeps rolling
The Mega Millions jackpot is $672 million, the 10th largest in the game’s history. If it keeps rolling over, it will hit $1 billion by September.
If you notice more people talking about Mega Millions around the office, on social media or at the convenience store, there’s a reason.
The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $800 million ahead of Tuesday night’s drawing, making it the game’s largest prize since last fall and one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history. The one-time cash option is estimated at $344.2 million before taxes.
The drawing is scheduled for approximately 11 p.m. ET Tuesday, July 28.
For players across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, the massive jackpot has sparked the same question:
If someone wins tonight, how much money would they actually get?
How much is the Mega Millions jackpot tonight?
The jackpot stands at an estimated $800 million, making it the 10th-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, according to lottery officials. The prize grew after no ticket matched all six numbers in the July 24 drawing.
The winning numbers from Friday night’s drawing were 2, 5, 42, 44 and 60, with Mega Ball 1. No jackpot-winning ticket was sold.
Lottery officials said the current jackpot run has produced more than 10 million winning tickets across all prize levels, while only two Mega Millions jackpots have been won in 2026.
“The estimated prize swells to $800 million ($344.2 million cash),” Mega Millions said in a news release announcing Tuesday’s jackpot.
What is the Mega Millions cash option?
Most jackpot winners choose the cash option instead of receiving annual payments over decades.
For Tuesday’s drawing, the cash value is estimated at $344.2 million before federal and state taxes.
Exactly how much a winner would keep depends on where the ticket is purchased, where the winner lives and the winner’s overall tax situation. Federal taxes alone would reduce the payout significantly, with potential additional state taxes depending on the jurisdiction.
That means the amount a winner ultimately pockets would likely be far less than the advertised $800 million jackpot.
How late can you buy a Mega Millions ticket tonight?
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for approximately 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday.
Ticket sales deadlines vary by state, but players generally must buy their tickets before the drawing begins. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, lottery officials recommend purchasing tickets well before the cutoff to avoid long lines or last-minute issues at retailers.
Tonight’s drawing features an estimated $800 million jackpot with a $344.2 million cash option, making it the 10th-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.
Players select five white-ball numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 290.5 million.
That hasn’t stopped millions of Americans from trying their luck as the jackpot continues to climb.
What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?
Despite the growing excitement, the odds remain long.
The odds of matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball and winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 290.5 million.
Still, history shows that gigantic jackpots often trigger a late surge in ticket sales as more casual players decide to try their luck.
What does this mean for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware?
The Mid-Atlantic region has a long history of producing major lottery winners, and residents across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware can purchase tickets for tonight’s drawing.
The current jackpot run has already generated high-tier winning tickets in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to Mega Millions officials, although neither state has produced the jackpot winner during the current run.
Whether tonight’s drawing finally produces a winner remains to be seen.
If nobody matches all six numbers, the jackpot will continue to grow, potentially pushing even closer to the billion-dollar mark and drawing even more attention nationwide.
Did anyone win the last Mega Millions jackpot?
No.
No ticket matched all six numbers in Friday’s drawing, allowing the jackpot to roll over to Tuesday night’s estimated $800 million prize.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
This content is sourced from www.northjersey.com and is shared for informational purposes only.
