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Posted on: March 11, 2026, 08:13h.
Last updated on: March 11, 2026, 08:13h.
- The Mega Millions jackpot was won on March 10
- The jackpot worth $533 million was hit by a single ticket sold in Illinois
- The winner has 60 days to come forward, should they choose the cash option
The first Mega Millions jackpot of 2026 was won on Tuesday night after a single ticket matched the five white balls and the gold Mega Ball.
The winning numbers last night were 16, 21, 30, 35, and 65. The gold Mega Ball was 7.
Mega Millions officials said the $533 million winning ticket was sold in Illinois, though the precise location of the retailer was not disclosed. Illinois allows Powerball players to purchase plays online.
The lucky winner will have the option of collecting the full value of the annuity through 30 annual payments or a one-time cash sum of $244.2 million.
The cash choice would be reduced to approximately $141.8 million after the federal government takes its 37% cut and Illinois’ state tax of 4.95% is levied. The annuity would come to $310.7 million.
The jackpot winner wasn’t the only big winner last night in Illinois. Another player won a $5 million prize after matching all five white numbers. The $1 million was quintupled to $5 million when their ticket landed on the 5X Multiplier.
Lottery Fever
Mega Millions said its first jackpot of the year coming in March was only the second time in the game’s history that the top prize didn’t hit at least once in January or February. Mega Millions is catching up to Powerball, which has already hit twice.
On Jan. 11, a Powerball win hit a $209.3 million jackpot in North Carolina. And last week, a Powerball jackpot on March 3 worth $250.8 million was won in Arkansas. The March 3 Powerball win was the game’s second jackpot won by a player in Arkansas in a span of less than 70 days.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The Mega Millions jackpot comes with odds of 1 in 290.4 million.
With Mega Millions hitting last night, the game’s top prize resets to $50 million for the next drawing on Friday, March 13. Powerball is at $58 million for its drawing tonight.
Illinois Lottery Redemption
The Illinois Lottery requires Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot winners who wish to receive a lump sum cash payment to come forward within 60 days of the drawing date. Winners who come forward after 60 days are required to take the annuity.
The winner has the right to remain anonymous, as Illinois Lottery regulations permit any prize winner of $250,000 or more to keep their identity from the public record.
The largest Mega Millions prize that went unclaimed was a $68 million jackpot that hit in 2002. The ticket was sold in New York, but the winner never came forward.
