Mega Millions gets a mega makeover

Get ready to dream bigger!

Mega Millions, the lottery game that's made countless millionaires, is getting a major upgrade in April 2025. This overhaul promises bigger jackpots, better odds, and a built-in multiplier to boost your winnings.

What's new with Mega Millions?

Beginning next year, these changes will impact the game in all U.S. states and territories that play Mega Millions: 

• Improved odds: Your chances of winning the jackpot just got better. The odds will improve from 1 in 302 million to 1 in 290 million.
• Bigger jackpots: Expect bigger jackpots to happen more frequently, and larger starting jackpots. The starting jackpot is increasing from $20 million to $50 million. The combination of larger starting jackpots and increased ticket sales from the higher price will lead to bigger jackpots more frequently.
• Built-in multiplier: Every play automatically increases your non-jackpot winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x, up to $10 million. This means you could win a million-dollar prize even if you don't match all five white balls.
• No breakeven prizes: Every win is a winning win. There will be no more small prizes that just cover the cost of the ticket.
• Price change: Tickets will cost $5 per play, making it the first price adjustment in over 20 years. The previous price increase was from $1 to $2 in 2017.

The Megaplier and Just the Jackpot add-ons will also be removed. However, the new game matrix and built-in multiplier will make it easier to win a big prize.

The drawings will continue to be held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET.

Why the changes?

The changes to Mega Millions were carefully considered after months of research and analysis. Many different options were explored before the final decisions were made. In January 2025, we'll learn more about the specific prize matrix and other details about the game changes.

Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said:

We are creating a game that both our existing players and people new to Mega Millions will love and get excited about playing. We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, meaning creating more billionaires and many more millionaires as the jackpots climb; plus, this game will continue the important legacy of supporting great causes everywhere Mega Millions is played.

The changes are also designed to keep Mega Millions competitive with Powerball, another popular lottery game.

A look back at Mega Millions

Since its launch in 2002, Mega Millions has produced six billion-dollar jackpot winners and over 1,200 millionaires. The game is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.