The Mega Millions drawing on Friday, October 16, 2026, yielded winning numbers of 2, 15, 31, 41, and 68, with the Mega Ball drawn as 11. The estimated grand prize for the Friday night drawing climbed to $403 million, accompanied by an estimated cash option of $162.1 million for a single winner choosing a lump-sum payout.
Participating U.S. jurisdictions reported the official results following the late-night drawing. While most published sources estimated the grand prize at $403 million, earlier reports from outlets such as the Asbury Park Press cited an estimate of $385 million with a $154.8 million cash value. Despite slight variations in pre-drawing estimates, the official winning numbers remained consistent across all reporting channels.
Next Drawing and Rollover Details
Because no ticket matched all six numbers in the October 16 drawing, the grand prize rolls over to the next event. The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday night at 11 p.m. ET. Drawings take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The jackpot previously reset following a massive $803 million win on July 28, 2026, by a lottery player in Florida. Since that reset, the grand prize has rolled over through numerous consecutive drawings, steadily building back toward multi-hundred-million-dollar totals.
How to Play and Ticket Pricing
Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play. Each ticket purchase includes a built-in multiplier feature that increases non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times their original amount. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 24 for the golden Mega Ball, or they can opt for a random Quick Pick generated by the lottery terminal.
Tickets are available for purchase in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Jurisdictions that do not offer Mega Millions include Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Purchasing deadlines vary by location and retailer, generally closing anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before the 11 p.m. ET drawing.
The Odds and Payout Options
Players hoping to claim the grand prize face steep mathematical odds. The overall odds of matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the jackpot are approximately 1 in 290,472,336.
For winners who beat the odds, major lotteries offer two primary payout structures:
- Cash Option: A one-time, lump-sum payment that is lower than the advertised jackpot amount but immediately available.
- Annuity Option: An initial immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, with each yearly installment increasing by 5%.
Winners should check local state regulations regarding prize claim deadlines. These deadlines typically range from 90 days to one year depending on the jurisdiction, alongside rules concerning winner anonymity.
