The numbers for the latest Mega Millions drawing were announced on the evening of October 17, 2025, revealing a jackpot of **$625 million**. This significant prize continues to grow as no winners have emerged in recent drawings, driving excitement among players. The estimated cash option for this drawing is **$288.8 million**.
Earlier this year, the price of a Mega Millions ticket increased from **$2 to $5**, a change that accompanied adjustments to the game’s structure. While the price hike aims to enhance the overall experience, it has also resulted in a marginal improvement in the odds of winning the jackpot. The updated odds now stand at **one in 290,472,336**, compared to the previous **one in 302,575,350**. This adjustment is attributed to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game, reducing the total from **25 to 24**.
Friday’s winning numbers were **9, 21, 27, 48, 56**, with the Mega Ball being **10**. Mega Millions drawings occur twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday at **11 p.m. Eastern Time**.
Historical Context of Mega Millions Jackpots
The current Mega Millions jackpot is part of a series of record-breaking prizes in recent years. The largest lottery jackpot ever won was **$2.04 billion** from Powerball on **November 7, 2022**, with the winning ticket purchased at a gas station in the Los Angeles area.
Following closely are other monumental jackpots, including **$1.78 billion** from Powerball on **September 6, 2025**, with winning tickets sold in Missouri and Texas, and **$1.765 billion** from Powerball on **October 11, 2023**, sold in a liquor store in a small California town. The Mega Millions also features its share of massive payouts, such as the **$1.602 billion** ticket sold in Neptune Beach, Florida, on **August 8, 2023**.
As players anticipate the next drawing, the allure of the Mega Millions jackpot remains a compelling aspect of lottery culture in the United States. With the stakes higher than ever, many are eager to see if someone will finally claim the grand prize.