While no one won the big prize on December 30th, the jackpot for the first Mega Millions drawing of 2026 on Friday, January 2nd is now $157 million.
If one lucky person hits the jackpot, they have two options. You can either receive a one-time cash payment of $72 million, or you can make an immediate payment followed by an annual check that is 5% larger than the previous year.
Mega Millions produced six different winners in 2025. The most recent one took place on December 2nd in New Jersey, where one lucky player took home a $90 million jackpot.
The winning numbers for Friday, January 2, 2026 are:
What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for January 2, 2026?
USA TODAY will publish the winning Mega Millions jackpot numbers after the lottery drawing on Friday, January 2nd at 11pm ET.
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a lottery that is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each ticket costs $5, and players can choose six numbers from two different number pools: five different numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (gold mega ball), or choose Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
If you match all six winning numbers in the drawing, you win the jackpot. If there are multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared.
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots
- $1.602 billion in Florida on August 8, 2023
- $1.537 billion in South Carolina on October 23, 2018
- $1.348 billion as of January 1, 2023 in Maine
- As of July, it was $1.337 billion. 29, 2022, Illinois
- December 27, 2024, $1.269 billion in California
- $1.128 billion in New Jersey on March 26, 2024
- $1.05 billion in Michigan on January 22, 2021
- $983 million in Georgia on November 14, 2025
- $810 million in Texas on September 10, 2024
- March 30, 2012, $656 million in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland
How to play Mega Millions
To play the lottery, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered from 1 to 70. Gold Mega Balls range from 1 to 24.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of selecting numbers, you can request a “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick”. When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.
Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Mega Millions tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery courier, in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.
The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
