What Is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game available in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. The game draws twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time, offering players the chance to win prizes across nine different winning combinations.
The lottery has been a popular gambling option for decades, with drawings held consistently on a bi-weekly schedule. Entry closes at 7:45 p.m. on drawing days, giving players a 15-minute window to purchase tickets before the official draw. Each ticket costs $5 per play under the updated 2025 game format.
December 23, 2025 Jackpot Details
Today's Mega Millions drawing features an estimated jackpot of $100 million in annuity form, with a cash option of $45.5 million. The annuity option pays the full jackpot amount over 29 years through annual payments, while the cash option provides a lump sum payment immediately. Winners can choose their preferred payout method when claiming their prize.
The jackpot amount reflects accumulated prize money from previous drawings where no ticket matched all six winning numbers. Each drawing where the jackpot goes unclaimed results in the prize rolling over to the next drawing, allowing the jackpot to grow significantly over time.
Winning Odds and Prize Structure
Mega Millions offers nine different winning combinations, allowing players to win prizes by matching various number combinations. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 23.08, while the odds of winning the jackpot by matching all five numbers plus the Mega Ball are 1 in 290,472,336. Smaller prizes range from $5 for matching only the Mega Ball to $6,546 for matching four numbers plus the Mega Ball.
The 2025 game update introduced a multiplier feature that can increase non-jackpot prizes up to 10X. Each play is randomly assigned a multiplier of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X, with 2X being the most common. The 10X multiplier occurs in only 1 of every 32 plays, making it a rare but valuable enhancement to winning tickets.