Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/27/24: Did anyone win the jackpot?

WASHINGTON – A Mega Millions player in California has plenty of money to ring in the new year after the winning number is drawn. After three months of no one winning the top prize, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold for Friday night’s drawing.

The winner’s identity was not immediately known, but the ticket was purchased at Sunshine Food and Gas at 3505 Rhonda Road in Cottonwood, California, according to the CalLottery website.

Five others also became millionaires after Friday’s drawing. According to Mega Millions, two came from California, one from Arizona, one from Texas and the last from Missouri.

The jackpot has grown since September 10, when it was last won in Texas at $810 million. The Christmas Eve drawing produced several million-dollar winners.

Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won so far this year, including a $1.13 billion winning ticket purchased in New Jersey in March. This prize was just claimed earlier this week. We’ll likely never know who won, as winners in New Jersey have the option to remain anonymous. The highest Mega Millions jackpot ticket – $1.6 billion – was sold in Florida in August last year.

“We know that many people will likely receive tickets to Friday’s drawing as Christmas gifts, and what a gift that would be to end up with a ticket worth $1.15 billion,” says Joshua Johnston , Executive Director of Mega Millions The consortium said in a statement on Wednesday.

The winning numbers for Friday’s drawing were: 3-7-37-49-55 − 6 MegaBall, with 3x MegaPlier.

The total amount of the Mega Millions jackpot will only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity that will be paid out over 29 years. Almost all grand prize winners opt for a cash payout, estimated to be $549.7 million in Friday night’s drawing.

Players who match only the first five numbers win at least $1 million.

Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

1. $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023 – Florida
2. $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 – South Carolina
3. $1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 – Maine
4. $1.337 billion – July 29, 2022 – Illinois
5. $1.22 billion – December 27, 2024 – California
6. $1.128 billion – March 26, 2024 – New Jersey
7. $1.050 Billion – January 22, 2021 – Michigan
8. 810 million dollars – September 10, 2024 – Texas
9. $656 million – March 30, 2012 – Kansas/Illinois/Maryland
10. $648 million – December 17, 2013 – California/Georgia
11. $552 million – June 4, 2024 – Illinois

The Associated Press contributed to this report.