Florida bettor wins $800 million Mega Millions jackpot
A player from Florida, USA, became a millionaire this week. A single ticket won the main prize, estimated at $800 million, in the Mega Millions drawing held on Tuesday night, the 28th, as confirmed by lottery organizers. The winning numbers were 34, 48, 49, 59, and 70, plus the Mega Ball 12.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Wawa convenience store located on State Road 70 in Bradenton. The winner will have 180 days to claim the prize and must decide on the payout method, with the option of a full payment in installments over the years or a lump-sum cash payout, stipulated at $344.2 million, an alternative that must be formalized within 60 days. In addition to the grand prize, Florida also saw winning tickets in smaller categories, with prizes of $20,000 and $30,000 in Gainesville, at two different Publix locations, and Miami, at a Latin Dollar store.
Tuesday's prize solidified itself as the largest lottery payout in 2026 so far and ranks as the tenth highest in Mega Millions history. The game's absolute record, $1.602 billion paid out in August 2023, also went to a ticket sold in Florida. The next drawing for this game will be held on Friday the 31st and returns to the base prize estimated at $50 million, or $21.5 million for the cash payout option. Tickets cost $5, and the probability of winning any prize is 1 in 23.
Tags: Mega Millions, Florida, Bradenton, lottery prize