TRENTON (Dec. 24, 2024) – The Mega Millions jackpot now stands at $1 billion heading into tonight’s Christmas Eve drawing. The cash value is $448.8 million.

The current jackpot is the seventh largest in game history and, if it is hit, would be the largest won in December. The $1.128 billion March jackpot in New Jersey that was recently claimed is the fifth largest ever.

The largest Mega Millions jackpots in game history are:

• $1.602 billion: Aug. 8, 2023, 1 winning ticket in Florida.
• $1.537 billion: Oct. 23, 2018, 1 winning ticket in South Carolina.
• $1.348 billion: Jan. 13, 2023, 1 winning ticket in Maine.
• $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022. 1 winning ticket in Illinois.
• $1.128 billion: 3/26/2024, 1 winning ticket in New Jersey.
• $1.050 billion: 1/22/2021, 1 winning ticket in Michigan.
• $1 billion: Current Jackpot.
• $810 million: Sept. 10, 2024, 1 winning ticket in Texas.
• $656 million: March 30, 2012, 3 winning tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
• $648 million: Dec. 17, 2013, 2 winning tickets in California and Georgia.

The next drawing is 11 p.m. tonight, Dec. 24. All New Jersey Lottery Mega Millions tickets must be purchased before 10:45 p.m. to participate in the drawing. Mega Millions tickets cost two dollars; by adding the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per play, players can increase their non-jackpot winnings up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 47 participating U.S. jurisdictions. Drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays.