What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history?

Written by Jackpot Staff

March 14, 2024

The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever recorded was $1.602 billion, won in August 2023. This remarkable event marked a new pinnacle for Mega Millions, breaking the game's record for the largest jackpot payout in its history. Discover more about Mega Millions's legendary past jackpots and take a chance to make history with Jackpot.com today!

What was the largest Mega Millions jackpot?

The record for the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won is an astounding $1.602 billion, awarded on August 8, 2023, to a lucky ticket holder in Neptune Beach, Florida. This monumental win surpassed the previous record of a $1.537 billion jackpot won on October 23, 2018, by a ticket sold in South Carolina, where the winner opted to remain anonymous. The history of Mega Millions is rich with significant wins, reflecting the game's growing popularity and capacity to generate life-changing sums for its participants.

Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots

The top 10 Mega Millions jackpots have made headlines for their staggering amounts, changing the lives of their winners overnight. Here's a detailed list of these monumental jackpots:

1. $1.602 Billion - August 8, 2023, Florida: The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was claimed by a ticket purchased in Neptune Beach, setting a new record for the game.

2. $1.537 Billion - October 23, 2018, South Carolina: This jackpot holds the distinction of being the world's largest lottery prize won by a single ticket at the time, with the winner choosing to remain anonymous.

3. $1.35 Billion - January 13, 2023, Maine: A single ticket matched all the winning numbers, claiming the third-largest jackpot in the game's history.

4. $1.34 Billion - July 29, 2022, Illinois: The fourth-largest jackpot was won by a ticket sold in Illinois, marking another entry into the billion-dollar jackpot club for Mega Millions.

5. $656 Million - March 30, 2012: This jackpot was shared by three winning tickets from Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland, making headlines as the world's largest prize in any jackpot game at the time.

6. $648 Million - December 17, 2013: Two tickets, one from California and one from Georgia, split the sixth-largest jackpot, with the winners claiming their prizes shortly after the draw.

7. $543 Million - July 24, 2018, California: A group of 11 coworkers at a Wells Fargo branch in San Jose shared this jackpot, opting for the cash lump sum option.

8. $540 Million - July 8, 2016, Indiana: A single ticket won the entire jackpot, and the winner chose the cash option.

9. $533 Million - March 30, 2018, New Jersey: This jackpot was won by a single ticket sold at a gas station in Riverdale, marking the ninth-largest win in Mega Millions history.

10. $451 Million - January 5, 2018, Florida: Shane Missler, from Port Richey, claimed this jackpot, choosing to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment.

Each of these jackpots represents a momentous occasion not just for the winners but for the Mega Millions game itself, highlighting the unpredictable and exciting nature of lottery games.

Who won the largest Mega Millions jackpots?

The winners of the largest Mega Millions jackpots often choose to remain anonymous, a common practice in many states to protect the privacy and security of the lucky individuals. For example, the winner of the 2018 South Carolina jackpot, which was the second-largest in the game's history at $1.537 billion, opted for anonymity. Similarly, the most recent record jackpot of $1.602 billion in 2023 was claimed by an anonymous ticket holder in Neptune Beach, Florida, and further details about the winner have not yet been disclosed.

Make History With Mega Millions

Mega Millions continues to captivate players with the promise of immense wealth, illustrated by its history of substantial jackpots. The game has evolved over the years, with changes in format and price points, all aimed at increasing the excitement and potential rewards for participants. As Mega Millions moves forward, it remains a beacon of hope for those dreaming of hitting a big jackpot, maintaining its place as a cornerstone of the lottery world.