Mega Millions jackpot hits $458M for Feb. 27. See winning numbers.
Mega Millions jackpot hits $458M for Feb. 27. See winning numbers.
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYSat, February 28, 2026 at 2:00 AM UTC
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The Mega Millions jackpot is climbing again ahead of the Friday, Feb. 27 drawing, now reaching $458 million, or $212.4 million for anyone who chooses the cash option.
If someone hits the jackpot Friday night, they'll have a big decision to make: take a one-time lump-sum payout or receive an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year.
Not every state has shared in the Mega Millions luck. According to the lottery, only 28 out of the 45 participating states have produced a jackpot winner. The largest prize in the game's history was won in Florida in 2023, when a single ticket claimed $1.602 billion.
The states with the most Mega Millions jackpot winners are New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan.
With that in mind, here is what to know about Friday’s drawing.
A selection of numbers are picked for the Mega Millions lottery on December 27, 2024 in Hawthorne, California.What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 2/27/2026?
USA TODAY will post the winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions lottery after the drawing at 11 p.m. ET
More: What states have the most lottery winners? What you .
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, at 11 p.m. ET.
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots -
$1.602 billion on Aug. 8, 2023 in Florida
$1.537 billion on Oct. 23, 2018 in South Carolina
$1.348 billion on Jan. 1, 2023 in Maine
$1.337 billion on July 29, 2022 in Illinois
$1.269 billion on Dec. 27, 2024 in California
$1.128 billion on Mar. 26, 2024 in New Jersey
$1.05 billion on Jan 22, 2021 in Michigan
$983 million on Nov. 14, 2025 in Georgia
$810 million on Sept. 10, 2024 in Texas
$656 million on March 30, 2012 in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
1 / 0See Powerball and Mega Millions winners who hit the jackpotTennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul, left, walks with an excited Janis Goodwin, middle and Frances Davenport as they prepare to pick up their million-dollar Powerball check at the lottery headquarters in Nashville on Oct. 3, 2005.
More: Millionaire for Life lottery: How to play and win the jackpot
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a lottery played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
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You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. In the event of multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared.
How to play the Mega Millions
To play the Mega Millions, you have to buy a ticket. You can do this at several locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or even grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be bought online.
Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24.
If you’re feeling especially unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick.” These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you.
Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. Before, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the "Megaplier.”
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Mega Millions 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 and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, 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.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
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); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions winning numbers for Feb. 27 drawing: $458M jackpot
Source: “AOL Money”
