MegaMillions announces historic $5 billion New Year's Eve jackpot and ignites a global race for tickets

A worldwide draw, with no rollover and open participation for every country, is creating an unprecedented international rush for one of the largest lottery jackpots ever announced.

By Thomas Caldwell, international correspondent • Updated 1 day ago

The announcement that MegaMillions will hold a special New Year's Eve draw with a guaranteed grand prize of $5 billion has triggered an unusual international rush. In several countries, platforms that sell official tickets reported a sharp spike in demand within the first hours after the news broke.

The main novelty in this edition is that participation is open worldwide, with no regional restrictions — something never implemented in more than 20 years of MegaMillions. Analysts say this could become "the most contested draw in modern history," especially because the jackpot will not roll over: there must be a winner on the New Year's Eve draw, December 31, 2025.

How will the $5 billion jackpot be paid to the winner?

MegaMillions has stated that this special edition will use one of the strictest winner verification procedures ever seen in an international lottery, to ensure the person who wins the $5 billion prize can claim it quickly and safely.

The winner will be contacted using three simultaneous notifications:

• Official e-mail with full details, verification codes, and instructions;
• International SMS sent to the registered phone number;
• Physical letter mailed to the address provided at the time of ticket purchase.

According to MegaMillions, the jackpot will be distributed in the format chosen by the winner: either as a lump sum of $5 billion or in annual installments over 30 years, with guaranteed interest adjustment to maintain purchasing power.

Why is this the first truly global edition?

Unlike previous draws, which were restricted to U.S. residents or select countries, this New Year's Eve edition is open to anyone anywhere in the world. Players from countries with no local lottery infrastructure can purchase official tickets through authorized international platforms.

This openness has caused a surge in traffic on ticket-selling websites and apps, with some platforms reporting wait times of several hours to complete a purchase.

How to participate and where to buy tickets

Tickets are available through official channels only. MegaMillions warns against unofficial or unverified resellers. To ensure authenticity, every ticket issued comes with a unique digital certificate and can be verified on the official MegaMillions website.

The deadline to purchase tickets for the New Year's Eve draw is December 31, 2025, at 10:00 PM EST. Results will be announced shortly after midnight, coinciding with the New Year celebrations around the world.

How does the New Year's Eve draw work?

The draw will follow the classic format already known by regular MegaMillions players:

• Selection of 5 main numbers from a drum with 70 balls.
• Drawing of the Mega Ball, taken from a separate drum with 25 balls.

The top jackpot goes to anyone who matches all five main numbers plus the Mega Ball. However, in this historic edition, even the secondary prize tiers gain special importance, since the total jackpot is considered one of the largest in the contemporary lottery era.

More tickets, more chances — limit of 10,000 tickets per player

Even though a single ticket is enough to enter the draw, probability experts interviewed by Mega News highlight that, for the first time, players are allowed to buy up to 10,000 tickets per person.

Researchers point out that players who go for the maximum package have an "exponentially higher" statistical advantage — thousands of times greater — compared with those who participate with just one basic line.

With unprecedented global interest and a guaranteed winner, this draw is shaping up to be one of the most memorable events in lottery history.