Is today your lucky day?

The Mega Millions lottery jackpot was an estimated $215 million the Friday, May 8 drawing with a cash option of $95.2 million, according to the Mega Millions website. 

The jackpot was last won when a lottery player in Ohio won a $60 million on March 17.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is at $47 million with a cash option of $21.2 million, according to the Powerball website. 

Winner's story: New Jersey $90M Mega Millions winner claims jackpot, 'dreamed of those numbers'

What are the 5/8/26 winning Mega Millions numbers?

Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, May 8, 2026:

37 - 47 - 49 - 51 - 58 and Megaball 16

Looking for an edge? These Mega Millions numbers are drawn the most

When is next Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

More: Mega Millions $1 million New Jersey winner knew 'I'm going to win one day'

How do I play Mega Millions?

The cost is now $5 per ticket and includes a multiplier that will increase the amount of your potential prize up to 10 times the original prize (except for the jackpot). The Mega Millions implemented a slew of changes on April 8, 2025.

Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 24 for the Mega Ball (down from 25 Mega Balls). However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You don't need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident of a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

More: 'It still doesn’t feel real' - New York man claims $476M Mega Millions jackpot

How many balls do I need to match for Mega Millions prize?

You can win at least $10 for the matching just one - the Mega Ball. Short of the jackpot, you can win a minimum of $2 million for matching all five white balls (except in California). You can check all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.

Beware: No, a lottery jackpot winner isn't giving you money. How to spot a scammer

Where is the Mega Millions available?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

Lucky? These are the states with the most Mega Millions jackpot winners

Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person 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 official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

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What is deadline for buying Mega Millions tickets?

The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket varies by state so don't wait until the last minute. It can be 15 minutes to an hour or more before the actual drawing. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline can be closer to two hours before the drawing. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a deadline of 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.

Click here to check the deadline for where you live.

What are my odds of winning the lottery?

Playing the Mega Millions can be exciting, but just don't go spending those millions before you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 290,472,336-to-1.

Unlucky? Here are 13 crazy things more likely to happen than winning the lottery

What does cash option mean?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year. The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don't have to wait decades for all the money.

Can a jackpot winner remain anonymous?

In some states, like New Jersey, you can win a lottery anonymously. That wasn't always the case, but now winners are able to stay anonymous under a law that was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. In other states, a winner's name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.

What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

Here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots ever:

1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
3. $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
5. $1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024: Won in California
6. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
7. $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
8. $983 million, Nov. 14, 2025: Won in Georgia
9. $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
10. $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland 

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here's a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
2. $1.817 billion, Powerball, Dec. 24, 2025: Won in Arkansas
3. $1.787 billion, Powerball, Sept. 6, 2025: Won in Missouri and Texas
4. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
5. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
6. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
7. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
8. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
9. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
10. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
11. $1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27: Won in California
12. $1.128 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
13. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
14. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
15. $980 million, Mega Millions, Nov. 14, 2025: Won in Georgia
16. $842.4 million, Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
17. $810 million, Mega Millions, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
18. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
19. $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
20. $754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington

Gambling problem?

If you need help with a gambling problem, you can get help by calling 1800-GAMBLER or clicking on www.800gambler.org

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. 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-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

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