The Mega Millions jackpot kept climbing ahead of the Friday, January 16, drawing, reaching an estimated $230 million. The cash option for anyone lucky enough to hit all six numbers comes out to about $105.1 million.
Friday’s drawing arrived just one day after lottery officials announced an exciting new game called “Millionaire for Life.” Set to launch on February 22, this daily draw offers a life-changing prize: $1 million every year for life for jackpot winners.
Mega Millions results for January 16, 2026
The winning numbers drawn on Friday night were:
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White balls: 2, 22, 33, 42, 67
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Mega Ball: 1
What happens if you win?
Mega Millions jackpot winners get to choose how they’re paid:
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Lump-sum cash payout — one big payment upfront
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Annuity option — an initial payment followed by yearly checks that grow by 5% each year
If more than one ticket matches all six numbers, the jackpot is split between the winners.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is played across 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Here’s how it works:
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Tickets cost $5
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Players choose:
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Five white balls from numbers 1 to 70
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One gold Mega Ball from numbers 1 to 24
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Prefer not to choose? A Quick Pick/Easy Pick randomly selects numbers for you
Matching all six numbers wins the jackpot.
Extra boost for non-jackpot prizes
Every Mega Millions ticket now includes a built-in multiplier, automatically boosting non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x. No extra add-on needed.
Biggest Mega Millions jackpots ever
Some of the largest prizes in lottery history include:
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$1.602 billion — August 8, 2023 (Florida)
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$1.537 billion — October 23, 2018 (South Carolina)
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$1.348 billion — January 1, 2023 (Maine)
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$1.337 billion — July 29, 2022 (Illinois)
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$1.269 billion — December 27, 2024 (California)
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$1.128 billion — March 26, 2024 (New Jersey)
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$1.05 billion — January 22, 2021 (Michigan)
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$983 million — November 14, 2025 (Georgia)
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$810 million — September 10, 2024 (Texas)
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$656 million — March 30, 2012 (Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland)
Where to buy Mega Millions tickets
Tickets are sold at:
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Gas stations
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Convenience stores
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Grocery stores
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Some airport terminals
In select states and territories, tickets can also be ordered online through approved digital lottery services, allowing players to choose numbers, view tickets, and collect winnings from their phone or computer.
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