The Mega Millions jackpot stands at $50 million for the Friday, March 20, 2026 drawing, with a cash option of $22.6 million. After two notable jackpot wins earlier in March, the prize has reset, but interest remains strong as players wait for the latest numbers to be announced after the draw.
What are the 3/20/26 winning Mega Millions numbers?
Here are the official Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, March 20, 2026:
11 – 20 – 51 – 55 – 63 and Mega Ball 4.
March wins reset the Mega Millions prize
The current jackpot comes after a sudden shift in what had been a quiet stretch for the game. Earlier this month, an Illinois ticket matched for a $536 million jackpot on March 10, ending a lengthy period without a top-prize winner.
Just a week later, the jackpot was struck again when a player in Ohio won $60 million on March 17. That back-to-back outcome quickly pushed the advertised prize back down to $50 million for the March 20 drawing.
According to the official Mega Millions website, the game continues to offer multiple prize tiers in addition to the jackpot, with a built-in multiplier now included in the ticket price for non-jackpot wins.
Next drawing date and regular schedule
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. After the March 20 drawing, the next chance to play will come on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
That twice-weekly schedule keeps the game in constant focus, especially when the jackpot begins to climb again after being won.
Ticket price and game format
Each Mega Millions ticket now costs $5. Players choose five white-ball numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. Those who do not want to select their own numbers can opt for a Quick Pick, which randomly generates a combination.
The updated ticket price also includes a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prize amounts by up to 10 times. That change was introduced as part of broader updates to the game in 2025.
Prize levels and odds remain steep
Matching all six numbers wins the jackpot, but smaller prizes are available across several tiers. Players can win at least $10 for matching the Mega Ball alone, while matching all five white balls without the Mega Ball can bring a prize of up to $2 million in most states.
The odds of winning the jackpot remain extremely long at 290,472,336 to 1. That makes Mega Millions one of the toughest prizes in American lottery play, even as the potential reward continues to attract millions of ticket buyers.
Where Mega Millions is sold
Mega Millions is available in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states that do not offer the game are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Tickets are commonly sold at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. In some states, players can also purchase access through authorized digital lottery courier services.
State deadlines matter before every draw
The deadline to buy a Mega Millions ticket is not the same everywhere. Depending on the state, sales may close anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour before the drawing. Online and courier-based purchases may cut off even earlier.
That means late buyers can miss out if they wait too close to the 11 p.m. ET drawing time. For Friday’s game, players typically need to have their purchase completed well before the final draw window.
Cash option and annuity choice
Jackpot winners can choose between an annuity and a cash option. The annuity is paid as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, with each payment increasing by 5% over time.
The cash option provides a one-time lump-sum payout that is lower than the full advertised jackpot. For the March 20 drawing, that lump sum is listed at $22.6 million.
Biggest Mega Millions jackpots on record
Mega Millions has produced some of the largest prizes in lottery history. The all-time record for the game remains the $1.602 billion jackpot won in Florida on August 8, 2023. Other massive prizes include $1.537 billion in South Carolina in 2018, $1.348 billion in Maine in 2023, and $1.337 billion in Illinois in 2022.
More recent giant wins have also kept the game in the spotlight, including $1.269 billion in California in December 2024, $1.128 billion in New Jersey in March 2024, and $983 million in Georgia in November 2025.
Winner privacy rules vary by state
Whether a jackpot winner can stay anonymous depends on where the ticket was bought. Some states, including New Jersey, allow winners to keep their identities private. In other states, a winner’s name and hometown may become public record.
That difference can shape where players choose to buy tickets, especially near state borders where residents may have multiple options.
Responsible play remains part of the conversation
Even with the excitement surrounding a fresh jackpot cycle, the reality remains that Mega Millions is a long-shot game built around very low odds. For many players, the appeal is in the anticipation and the possibility, rather than any realistic expectation of a life-changing win.
Anyone struggling with gambling-related concerns can seek support through national help resources such as 1-800-GAMBLER.
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