Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $253 Million; Ticket Purchase Details Inside

Lottery enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement as the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $253 million for the next draw on August 29, 2025. Although no ticket matched all the winning numbers in the latest drawing, which took place on August 26, players are eager to participate in hopes of securing a life-changing prize.

The winning numbers for the August 26 draw were 7, 12, 30, 40, and 69, with the Mega Ball being 17. The cash option for the jackpot currently stands at $113.8 million. With no jackpot winner this time, the prize will roll over, increasing the stakes for the upcoming draw.

Understanding Ticket Purchase Deadlines

A common question among players is how late they can buy Mega Millions tickets. In general, ticket sales close between 10:45 p.m. and 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time on draw nights. For example, in New Jersey, online and in-store sales stop at 10:45 p.m. Other states, including New York and California, have varying cut-off times, often just minutes before the draw. Players are encouraged to check their respective state lottery websites for specific deadlines.

Tickets can be purchased at licensed retail outlets across 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to physical locations, several states such as New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania offer online ticket purchasing through their official lottery websites or mobile applications. Each Mega Millions ticket costs $5, and participants must be at least 18 years old, with some states enforcing a higher minimum age.

Odds, Prize Tiers, and Winning Options

The structure of the Mega Millions game remains consistent: players select five white ball numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 290,472,336. However, players have the chance to win smaller prizes ranging from $10 to $10 million, depending on the number of matches and any multipliers applied.

The Mega Millions game recently transitioned from the “Megaplier” feature to an automatic built-in multiplier, enhancing non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four, five, or even ten times. The prize chart includes various tiers, such as:

– Match 5 white balls + Mega Ball: Jackpot
– Match 5 white balls: $2 million to $10 million
– Match 4 white balls + Mega Ball: $20,000 to $100,000
– Match Mega Ball only: $10 to $50

If a player wins the jackpot, they can choose between an annuity option or a cash payout. The annuity consists of one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, each increasing by 5%, intended to protect against inflation. If multiple winners emerge, the jackpot is divided equally among them.

With the next drawing on August 29, 2025, at 11 p.m. ET, the anticipation continues to grow. Players are reminded to purchase their tickets before the cut-off time and to stay updated on the announced winning numbers.

For those eager to try their luck, the process is straightforward: buy tickets early and keep an eye on the Mega Millions numbers as they are revealed.