In a thrilling turn of events, a Mega Millions ticket purchased just before the recent daylight saving time change has won a whopping $4 million! This remarkable win occurred during the drawing held on March 6, 2026. The lucky ticket matched five numbers along with a 4x multiplier, making it a significant win for the ticket holder. The winning numbers for this drawing were 8-19-26-38-42, with the Mega Ball being 24. Interestingly, no one managed to snag the Mega Millions jackpot, which was estimated at an impressive $496 million.
This ticket was sold at the Liquor and Wine Merchant in Plantation, Florida, a city located about 7 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, 40 miles south of West Palm Beach, and 25 miles north of Miami. Additionally, in Arizona, another ticket won $2 million with a 2x multiplier, highlighting the excitement surrounding this popular lottery game.
The Current Mega Millions Jackpot
The current Mega Millions jackpot for the upcoming drawing on March 10, 2026, stands at an eye-popping $533 million, with a cash option of $244.2 million. For those looking to try their luck, a Mega Millions ticket costs $5, a price that was raised from $2 in April 2025. Drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 PM ET, so there are plenty of opportunities to win big!
To participate, players need to select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. There are nine different ways to win prizes, making it an exciting game with a total winning chance of 1 in 23.07. However, if you want to hit the jackpot, you’ll need to match all five numbers plus the Mega Ball, which has odds of 1 in 290,472,336.
Claiming Your Winnings
For those fortunate enough to win, it’s important to know the claiming process. Prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, and winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes. For larger wins, such as those over $1 million, claims must be made at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. It’s also worth noting that federal income taxes will be withheld from winnings as required by the Internal Revenue Code, so winners should be prepared for that.
Interestingly, the last Mega Millions jackpot won in Florida was a $36 million prize on August 15, 2023, which unfortunately was never claimed. Earlier that same month, a ticket sold in Neptune Beach won a staggering $1.58 billion, showcasing just how lucrative these lottery games can be.
As we look forward to the next drawing, excitement is building in Florida and beyond. The Mega Millions game continues to captivate millions, providing thrilling opportunities for players to dream big and potentially change their lives forever. For more information on how to play and win, check out the official Florida Lottery site here.
With nearly 7 million Americans playing the lottery regularly, the thrill of the game is palpable. While Florida residents are enjoying their Mega Millions excitement, lottery games are popular around the globe, with millions of players participating in various formats. The Mega Millions continues to be one of the most sought-after games, attracting players eager to try their luck and dream of hitting it big.