Records were made to be broken.
Which Mega Millions winner took home the biggest jackpot? The $1.602 billion prize in August 2023 was the largest Mega Millions jackpot won in history.
As Mega Millions makes records (the prize won on June 4, 2024, ranks No. 10), we wanted to tell you about the biggest Mega Millions prizes in the game’s history.
⚡️ Feeling inspired? Get in the game on the Jackpocket lottery app for mobile or desktop.
1. $1.602 Billion (Florida)
A Florida entity named Saltines Holdings, LLC claimed the top Mega Millions jackpot in history after its ticket matched all six numbers in the Aug. 8, 2023, drawing. The jackpot was so big it was known as “Mega Billons.” The lucky ticket was purchased from a Publix in Neptune Beach.
2. $1.537 Billion (South Carolina)
An anonymous player in Simpsonville, South Carolina, won big in the drawing held on Oct. 23, 2018. The state received $61 million in income tax from the winning ticket. Learn more: Which states win Mega Millions the most
3. $1.348 Billion (Maine)
On January 13, 2023 (a Friday the 13th!), Maine won its first-ever Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon.
4. $1.337 Billion (Illinois)
Two Illinois Lottery players scored the fourth-largest Mega Millions prize ever but wanted to stay anonymous. The winning ticket was sold for the July 29, 2022 drawing. Illinois Lottery noted, “must be over the moon.” About 23 cents of every dollar spent on the Illinois Lottery is returned to education and good causes.
Learn more: Where lottery money goes
5. $1.128 Billion (New Jersey)
The first Mega Millions winner of 2024 bought their ticket at ShopRite Liquor in Neptune Township. The draw was held March 26, 2024.
Learn More: Check out this couple that got engaged after winning $1 million on Jackpocket.
6. $1.05 Billion (Michigan)
On Jan. 22, 2021, a Detroit lottery club shared the billion-dollar jackpot as the “Wolverine FLL Club” with the only jackpot-winning ticket. They planned to pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan.
7. $810 Million (Texas)
The Sol Living Trust of Sugar Land, Texas, took home $810 million.
8. $656 Million (Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland)
Three tickets (Kansas, Illinois, Maryland) split the jackpot on March 30, 2012. Two were Quick Picks. Each winner got about $105.1 million in cash after taxes. Learn more: Quick Pick vs picking your own lottery numbers
9. $648 Million (California and Georgia)
Two winning tickets, sold on Dec. 17, 2013, left each winner—one in California, one in Georgia—with $324 million. The Georgia winner said in a voice message to his boss: “I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow or ever.”
I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.
10. $552 Million (Illinois)
The winning ticket for the $552 million Mega Millions jackpot on June 4, 2024, was purchased online through the Illinois Lottery. It’s the largest iLottery prize in U.S. history. The winner said, “I’ve always dreamed of retiring early and enjoying life with my family. I think it’s safe to say my dream just came true.”
Learn more: States where you can buy lottery tickets online
Honorable Mentions
11. $543 Million (California)
On July 24, 2018, 11 Wells Fargo co-workers in San Jose split this prize thanks to their office pool.
12. $536 Million (Indiana)
On July 8, 2016, an Indiana couple won by buying five Quick Pick tickets. They accepted their prize through a law firm and stayed anonymous. More on the winning family
13. $533 Million (New Jersey)
On March 30, 2018, a New Jersey man took home the state’s second-largest jackpot by opting for a one-time cash payment of about $175 million after taxes. Plans included restoring a 1964 Corvette and donating to charity.
Powerball more your speed? Top 10 Powerball jackpots in history
14. $522 Million (California)
On June 7, 2019, a San Diego woman claimed the cash option of $340 million before taxes after winning with a Quick Pick. She planned to pay off debt and buy a new home.
15. $516 Million (Pennsylvania)
A five-person trust named “Peace of Mind” claimed the jackpot on May 21, 2021, with a $348 million lump sum. The winners chose anonymity.
16. $502 Million (California and Florida)
Two winning tickets split the prize, with each recipient taking home $251 million. Edward Lojewski and the Pineapple Trust of Bonita Springs, Florida were the winners.
17. $451 Million (Florida)
On January 5, 2018, a 20-year-old man took home the jackpot. First, he won $5 from a scratch-off ticket and used that to buy the winning Mega Millions ticket. His plans included purchasing a home and supporting his family.
18. $437 Million (New York)
A group of 23 co-workers from a small retail business in Long Island took home this record jackpot on January 1, 2019, each receiving just under $8 million after taking the lump sum payment.
Top Mega Millions Wins by Year
Let’s take a look at the Mega Millions historical jackpots that were the largest by year since the game’s start.
| Date | Jackpot Won | Where it was Won |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 10, 2024 | $810 million | Sugar Land, TX |
| Aug. 8, 2023 | $1.602 billion | Neptune Beach, FL |
| July 29, 2022 | $1.337 billion | Des Plaines, IL |
| Jan. 22, 2021 | $1.050 billion | Oakland Country, MI |
| June 9, 2020 | $414 million | Glendale, AZ |
| June 7, 2019 | $522 million | San Diego, CA |
| Oct. 23, 2018 | $1.537 billion | South Carolina |
| Aug. 11, 2017 | $393 million | Palos Heights, IL |
| July 8, 2016 | $536 million | Indiana |
| Jan. 16, 2015 | $265 million | Naperville, IL |
| March 18, 2014 | $414 million | Merritt Island, FL & La Plata, MD |
| Dec. 17, 2013 | $648 million | Northern California & Stone Mountain, GA |
| March 30, 2012 | $656 million | Ottawa, KS, Red Bud, IL & Milford Mill, MD |
| Jan. 4, 2011 | $380 million | Ephrata, WA & Rathdrum, ID |
| May 4, 2010 | $266 million | Pico Rivera, CA |
| Aug. 28, 2009 | $336 million | San Gabriel, CA & Bronx, NY |
| Feb. 22, 2008 | $275 million | Portal, GA |
| March 6, 2007 | $390 million | Woodbine, NJ & Dalton, GA |
| Feb. 28, 2006 | $270 million | Ohio |
| Nov. 15, 2005 | $315 million | Anaheim, CA |
| July 2, 2004 | $294 million | Boston, MA |
| June 20, 2003 | $183 million | Baldwin, MD |
| July 16, 2002 | $165 million | Cliffside Park, NJ |
From this list, it’s easy to see how the prizes have grown over the years, from the top prize in 2002 being $165 million to $810 million taken home in 2024. This is a result of changes to the game that occurred in 2015, leading to higher odds for the grand prize and larger jackpots.
The More You Know
How high will the jackpot grow? Will one of the winners in this article be replaced? Nothing left to do but play and see! Order your Mega Millions ticket now on the Jackpocket lottery app.
