Topline
The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to an estimated $604 million, now the largest lottery prize of the year, after no ticket matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing. However, any eventual winner would receive substantially less once taxes and required withholdings are applied.
The Mega Millions prize has surged beyond $600 million, marking the biggest lottery jackpot of 2026 to date.
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Key Facts
The winning numbers drawn Tuesday night were 2, 31, 35, 36, 63, with Mega Ball 12.
Should someone win the next drawing, they can select either the full $604 million paid out over 30 annual installments or a one-time cash option worth $266.3 million, which is typically the choice most winners prefer.
Under the lump-sum option, the prize would be reduced to about $202.4 million immediately after the mandatory 24% federal tax withholding.
The final tax bill could be higher, as the winner may be subject to a federal marginal tax rate of up to 37%, depending on total taxable income. That could bring the cash prize down to roughly $167.8 million.
For the annuity option, annual payments of approximately $20.1 million would be reduced to about $12.7 million after applying the top 37% federal marginal tax rate.
Depending on where they live, the winner could face additional taxes, as some states, such as New York, tax lottery winnings at 10.9%, while others, such as Texas, Florida, and California, don’t.
Big Number
1-in-290.4 million. Those are the astronomical odds a ticket buyer will need to overcome to win the Mega Millions jackpot. This is slightly better than the Powerball jackpot’s even poorer odds of 1-in-292.2 million.
What To Watch For?
The next Mega Millions jackpot draw will take place on Friday night. The Powerball jackpot, which has risen to $434 million, will have its next drawing on Wednesday night.
Key Background
A Mega Millions ticket buyer from Illinois claimed the biggest lottery prize of the year so far in March after they won a $533 million jackpot. The biggest Powerball jackpot of the year so far is a $250.8 million prize claimed by a lottery player from Arkansas.
further reading
Mega Millions Jackpot Rises To $542 Million—Here’s What The Winner Could Take Home After Taxes (Forbes)
