Mega Millions: A History of Record-Breaking USA Jackpots for Over 20 Years

Mega Millions has been one of the most exciting and life-changing lottery games in the world since its inception. The game’s jackpot has grown to monumental amounts, offering players the chance to win life-altering sums of money. From its very first drawing in 2002 to the latest record-shattering jackpots, Mega Millions continues to captivate players across the United States.

The Beginning of Mega Millions

The first-ever Mega Millions drawing took place on May 17, 2002, and it wasted no time in delivering a massive prize. A lucky player in Illinois scooped up the very first jackpot, worth $28 million. Remarkably, just one week later, there was another jackpot winner, making it two jackpot winners within the game’s first three drawings. It was a thrilling start to what would become one of the most popular lotteries in the U.S.

Since its beginning in 2002, 217 Mega Millions jackpots have been won by 244 individual tickets. Some jackpots have been shared, with 22 jackpots split between two or more winning tickets. This long-running game has turned countless people into millionaires and, in some cases, billionaires.

The Rise of the Billion-Dollar Jackpot

Mega Millions is no stranger to breaking records. The game holds the distinction of being the only lottery game that has awarded six prizes of $1 billion or more, cementing its status as a game of unimaginable winnings. These billion-dollar jackpots have occurred in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 (two times), and 2024.

The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot—a mind-blowing $1.602 billion—was won on August 8, 2023 by a single ticket in Florida. This staggering amount set a new record for the game, and it remains the largest jackpot won on a single ticket in Mega Millions history.

Other impressive billion-dollar prizes include:

• $1.537 billion won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018 (previously the largest single-ticket prize).
• $1.348 billion won in Maine on January 13, 2023.
• $1.337 billion won in Illinois on July 29, 2022.
• $1.128 billion won in New Jersey on March 26, 2024.
• $1.050 billion won in Michigan on January 22, 2021.
• $810 million won in Texas on September 10, 2024.

Friday the 13th: A Lucky Day for Mega Millions

Friday the 13th may be considered unlucky by some, but for Mega Millions players, it has proven to be an extraordinarily lucky day. Seven Mega Millions jackpots have been won on a Friday the 13th, with Michigan being particularly fortunate. The state has seen four Friday the 13th jackpots, including:

• June 2008
• May 2011
• June 2014
• October 2017 (shared with Rhode Island)

The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot to date, $1.348 billion, was also won on a Friday the 13th—January 13, 2023, in Maine. Additionally, jackpots on this supposedly unlucky day have been claimed in New York (March 2009) and Ohio (November 2015).

Mega Millions: Changing Lives, One Jackpot at a Time

Mega Millions continues to deliver excitement and life-changing prizes to players across the country. With jackpots regularly reaching hundreds of millions of dollars and several climbing into the billions, the game’s legacy of creating millionaires and billionaires remains unmatched. Whether it’s the thrill of chasing a billion-dollar jackpot or the dream of becoming an instant millionaire, Mega Millions has solidified its place as one of the most iconic lottery games in the world.

As the game looks toward the future, players can only imagine what new records will be set and how many more lives will be changed by that magical ticket. After all, as Mega Millions has shown time and time again—you have to be in it to win it!

Mega Millions: 10-Point FAQ

1. When was the first Mega Millions drawing? The first-ever Mega Millions drawing took place on May 17, 2002, resulting in a $28 million jackpot won in Illinois.
2. How often are Mega Millions drawings held? Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET.
3. What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won? The largest jackpot ever won was $1.602 billion, claimed by a single ticket in Florida on August 8, 2023.
4. How many jackpots have been won in Mega Millions history? Since 2002, 217 jackpots have been won by 244 individual tickets, with some jackpots shared among winners.
5. How many billion-dollar jackpots have been won? Mega Millions has awarded six jackpots of $1 billion or more, including in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 (two times), and 2024.
6. What is the cost to play Mega Millions? A standard Mega Millions ticket costs $2 per play. Players can add the Megaplier option for an additional $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
7. How do you win the Mega Millions jackpot? To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. There are nine total prize tiers, with varying payouts.
8. What happens if multiple people win the jackpot? If more than one winning ticket matches all numbers, the jackpot is split equally among the winners.
9. Can Mega Millions jackpots be claimed anonymously? Some states allow winners to claim their prize anonymously, while others require the winner’s name and location to be made public.
10. What is the Megaplier option? The Megaplier increases non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x, depending on the Megaplier number drawn. It does not affect the jackpot amount.