
As anticipation levels soar, the Mega Millions jackpot swells to an incredible $1.1 billion in the lead up to Tuesday night’s drawing. This staggering sum ranks among the top prizes in the lottery’s history, the likes of which has only been surpassed on four previous occasions according to data from Mega Millions.
Late Tuesday night, around 11 p.m. ET, the pot of gold at the end of this billion-dollar rainbow will be decided as the winning numbers are drawn. The fortunate player who comes out victorious will be given a choice: bask in the entire theoretical $1.1 billion bounty, or depart with a still considerable $537.5 million instant payout.
The numbers to match in this one for the ages ‘Mega Millions’ drawing on Tuesday, March 26 are 11, 22, 7, 29, 38, with the Megaball being 4. And to sweeten the pot, the Megaplier stands at double.
Earlier lottery results may serve as a key to this jackpot, and you’d be wise to remember that the winning lottery numbers are sponsored by the reputable Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier in collaboration with the USA TODAY Network.
Come Wednesday morning, USA Today will eagerly be announcing if anyone has secured the golden ticket.
However, what is this curious Megaplier game mechanism that keeps being mentioned? Primarily, it’s a feature available in most states that allows participants to multiply non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four, or even five times. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn from a pool of 15 balls; five of them are marked with a “2X”, three with a “4X” and one ball rares a “5X”.
Any hopeful participant wishing to purchase a ticket can find them at their local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. Alternatively, select states also offer online purchases. To step into the ring, you’ll need to pick six numbers. Five numbers from a set of white balls numbered 1 to 70, and the golden Mega Ball number is one from 1 to 25. If you’d prefer to let fate decide, you can opt for a Quick Pick or Easy Pick, where the computer will generate random numbers for you.
The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, stands at an estimated $1.1 billion, a payout that’s enticing to many. Adding the Megaplier option for an extra dollar can multiply your non-jackpot winnings. It’s drawn before the actual numbers on Tuesday and Friday.
The largest Mega Millions jackpots ever recorded include amounts like the $1.6 billion won on a ticket in Florida in August 2023 or the $1.5 billion ticket from South Carolina in October 2018. The current jackpot at a close $1.1 billion follows closely behind jackpots won in Maine and Illinois in years 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Tickets can be purchased physically or ordered online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, operating in several U.S. states and territories such as Arizona, Nebraska, New York and more. Its app allows you to pick your lottery game, choose your numbers, make your purchase, see your ticket, and claim your winnings from the convenience of your phone or home computer.