Mega Millions jackpot rises to $1.1 billion after drawing with no win

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.1 billion after no participants matched all six numbers in the latest drawing, marking a continuation of the game's streak without a grand prize winner. The drawing on Friday night revealed the numbers 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, and the Mega Ball 16, but failed to produce a jackpot victor, propelling the prize to its current billion-dollar stature.

This escalation in the jackpot places it as the fifth-largest in the history of the Mega Millions game. The absence of a grand prize winner this Friday has extended the period of anticipation and excitement among participants, with the jackpot last being won in December, when two winners in California shared a $394 million prize.

Despite the lack of a jackpot winner, the latest drawing was not without its smaller victories. Five tickets matched five of the drawn numbers, securing the game's $1 million prize for their holders. Additionally, a player in Virginia capitalized on the Megaplier option, boosting their winnings to $3 million.

The Mega Millions game has now seen its jackpot exceed the $1 billion mark six times in less than six years, a testament to the growing allure and anticipation surrounding these draws. The record for the largest jackpot in Mega Millions history remains the $1.602 billion prize won in August 2023 by a ticket purchased in Neptune Beach, Florida.

As the jackpot climbs to $1.1 billion, participants across the country and in other participating jurisdictions are eagerly awaiting the next drawing, scheduled for Tuesday night. The substantial prize offers a life-changing opportunity, with the cash option for the upcoming draw estimated at $525.8 million.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. As the jackpot grows, so does the excitement and anticipation for what could be the next major win in the history of the game.