"Has the $1.22B Mega Millions Jackpot Been Won?"

"The jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in Mega Millions history."

WASHINGTON — The fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was up for grabs Friday night, as Americans hoped for a massive Christmas-week windfall.

The prize had grown to an estimated $1.22 billion for Friday's drawing after no one claimed the jackpot on Christmas Eve. If won at this amount, it would set a record for the largest December prize in the lottery's history.

The jackpot has been growing since September 10, when it was last won at $810 million in Texas. While no one claimed the top prize in the Christmas Eve drawing, several million-dollar winners were announced.

So far this year, only three Mega Millions jackpots have been claimed, including a $1.13 billion winning ticket purchased in New Jersey in March. That prize was claimed earlier this week, but the winner’s identity may remain a mystery, as New Jersey allows winners to remain anonymous. The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record, $1.6 billion, was sold in Florida in August of last year.

“We know that many people will likely receive tickets for Friday’s drawing as holiday gifts, and what a gift it would be if you ended up with a ticket worth a $1.15 billion jackpot,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, in a statement Wednesday.

Mega Millions Winning Numbers for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

The winning numbers for Friday's drawing were: 3-7-37-49-55 − 6 MegaBall, with a 3x MegaPlier.

Winners who match all five numbers and the Mega Ball can choose between an annuity paid out over 30 years or a lump sum cash payout, typically about half the jackpot amount. Most winners opt for the cash option.

Players who match only the first five numbers win at least $1 million.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings occur on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Largest Mega Millions Jackpots in History

• $1.602 billion - August 8, 2023 - Florida
• $1.537 billion - October 23, 2018 - South Carolina
• $1.348 billion - January 13, 2023 - Maine
• $1.337 billion - July 29, 2022 - Illinois
• $1.22 billion (est) - Dec. 27, 2024
• $1.128 billion - March 26, 2024 - New Jersey
• $1.050 billion - January 22, 2021 - Michigan
• $810 million - September 10, 2024 - Texas
• $656 million - March 30, 2012 - Kansas/Illinois/Maryland
• $648 million - December 17, 2013 - California/Georgia
• $552 million - June 4, 2024 - Illinois