What Are the Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever?

With the words mega and millions in its name, it's no wonder that the American lottery Mega Millions is known for having mega jackpots. In fact, Mega Millions has come incredibly close to breaking the record for largest jackpot ever. If you too want a chance to win mega-sized prizes, join US MegaLuck draws at TheLotter Australia and play with the same rules, odds, and of course, astronomical jackpots and prizes!


Top 10 Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots


10. Ira Curry and Steve Tran - 17 December 2013 - US$648 Million

It took twenty-one rollovers until the US Mega Millions jackpot a massive US$648 million (almost a billion Australian dollars!) was finally won on 17 December 2013. The jackpot was split between two winners, with each winner receiving US$173,819,742 before taxes.

The first to come forward was 56-year-old Ira Curry from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Ira had used family birthdays and his lucky number to pick his numbers.

The second winner was Steve Tran from San Jose, California. Tran almost missed out on the momentous win, as his lucky ticket had been sitting in a pile of old tickets!

9. Merle & Patricia Butler, The Three Amigos, and Anonymous - 30 March 2012 - US$656 Million

The 30 March 2012 drawing had not one, not two, but three jackpot winners! The winner from Kansas made use of the state's laws to remain anonymous when accepting their US$218.6 million prize money.

The second ticket belonged to a group of Maryland public school employees who went by the name "The Three Amigos." Each put in US$20 to collectively buy sixty tickets, and in return, they ended up splitting US$218.6 million!

The last ticket belonged to married couple Merle and Patricia Butler from Red Bud, Illinois who took home a lump sum payout worth US$111 million after taxes.

8. Anonymous - 10 September 2024 - US$810 Million

After 27 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, a sole winner who brought home the massive US$810 million jackpot finally emerged! They purchased their ticket at Murphy USA in Sugar Land, Texas. When the winner purchased the ticket, they chose the lump sum option, resulting in a staggering US$409,297,624 before taxes. About a month later, the Sol Living Trust claimed the US$800 million as an annuity. The winning numbers were 1, 2, 16, 24, 66, and the Mega Ball was 6 (the Megaplier stood at 4).

7. Wolverine FFL Club - 22 January 2021 - US$1.05 Billion

After a record thirty-seven rollovers, the Mega Millions jackpot was over the billion-dollar mark, sitting at a staggering US$1.05 billion!

According to CNN, the ticket had been purchased in Oakland County, Michigan by The Wolverine FFL Club. The group decided to take the winnings in a lump sum of US$776 million (US$557 million after taxes), netting each participant just under US$140 million.

A lawyer accepted the cheque and read out a statement on behalf of the group, stating "This kind of money will impact the families of our club members for generations to come. We plan to stay humble and pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan."

6. Anonymous - 26 March 2024 - US$1.13 Billion

A Mega Millions ticket purchased in New Jersey secured an astounding US$1.13 billion jackpot, marking one of the largest wins in the game's history. After several rollovers, a single ticket holder emerged victorious. While officials confirmed the win occurred in New Jersey, the exact location of the ticket purchase remains undisclosed.

The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, with the Mega Ball 4.

5. Anonymous - 27 December 2024 - US$1.269 Billion

A Christmas miracle brought unimaginable fortune to one lucky California winner, whose ticket matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball to secure a jaw-dropping $1.269 billion jackpot. According to USA Mega's Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis, the winner can opt for an $800.7 million annuity over 29 years after taxes or a $360.3 million lump sum. With no state taxes on lottery prizes in California, only federal taxes will apply to this windfall.

4. Anonymous - 29 July 2022 - US$1.337 Billion

US Mega Millions broke the billion-dollar barrier a third time in July 2022 after three months of rollovers that had the whole world scrambling to purchase tickets. A single ticket sold in Illinois finally matched the winning numbers - 13, 36, 45, 57, 67, and the Mega Ball number 14 - and took the entire US$1.337 billion (US$780.5 million cash value) jackpot prize!

3. LaKoma Island Investments, LLC - 13 January 2023 - US$1.348 Billion

Friday the 13th in January 2023 turned out to be as lucky as it gets for a player, who matched all six numbers - 30, 43, 45, 46, and 61, and Mega Ball 14- and won the entire US$1.348 billion (US$723.5 million cash value) jackpot! The winning ticket, sold in Lebanon, Maine, is the state’s first-ever Mega Millions jackpot win.

The winner chose to remain anonymous and has chosen to collect the cash value amount through a limited liability company. A representative of the winner stated, "The winner is thoughtfully considering the best uses of the life-changing prize".


2. Anonymous - 23 October 2018 - US$1.537 Billion

This much-anticipated draw made headlines across the globe in October 2018 when the jackpot surpassed the billion-dollar mark for the first time in Mega Millions history. Even with ticket sales slightly lower than expected, it still reached an impressive US$1.537 billion (AU$2.179 billion). While it didn’t break the American Powerball record at the time, it was still a groundbreaking moment for the lottery and fans alike.

For obvious reasons, the winner chose to remain anonymous so not much is known other than that the ticket was sold in South Carolina with the winning numbers 5, 28, 62, 65, and 50, plus the Mega Ball 5.

What was the Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot in History?

1. Saltines Holdings LLC - 8 August 2023 - US$1.602 Billion

A 32-draw rollover streak ended when a single ticket in Neptune Beach, Florida won the US$1.602 billion ($794.2 million cash value ) jackpot prize! The Quick Pick ticket matched all the winning numbers: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33, and Mega Ball 14.

The winners revealed their identity as Saltines Holdings LLC in December 2023 and are now the owners of the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever awarded and the 3rd largest prize in US lottery history! This incredible prize falls right behind the top two biggest US Powerball jackpots.


When Will the Next Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot be Won?

mega millions record jackpot

It's impossible to know when the next record jackpot will be won. Still, with the odds of winning Mega Millions set at 1:302.6 million, it could take a while before another jackpot reaches record-breaking status again! At TheLotter Australia, Aussie fans can also enjoy this exciting lottery game with the same rules, odds, and incredible prizes! Try your luck at winning US MegaLuck today by purchasing lotto tickets before the next draw. You can also take a shot at winning another incredible American lottery alternative - US PowerLuck!

TheLotter Australia customers are not purchasing lottery tickets or participating in lotteries directly. TheLotter Australia uses third-party agents to purchase lottery tickets; customers are purchasing for the opportunity to receive monies equivalent to prize winnings.