Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $140M ahead of Tuesday draw
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $140M ahead of Tuesday draw
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYWed, April 22, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC
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With the Mega Millions jackpot continuing its climb, Tuesday night’s April 21 drawing now offers a $140 million prize, or $62.8 million in cash, for anyone lucky enough to beat the 1 in 290,472,336 odds.
If someone hits the numbers, they’ll have two payout options: take the lump‑sum cash payment or choose an annuity that includes an immediate payment followed by annual checks that increase by 5% each year. The rising jackpot follows two Mega Millions wins earlier this year, including a $60 million prize in Ohio and a $533 million jackpot claimed by a ticket sold in Illinois.
With Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing just hours away, here’s what to know before the numbers are drawn.
A Mega Millions Powerball sign is displayed at a convenience store on December 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
More: Is there a strategy to winning Powerball and Mega Millions? Top tips for picking numbers
What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 4/21/2026?
USA TODAY will post the winning numbers for Tuesday’s Mega Millions lottery after the drawing at 11 p.m. ET
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, April 24, at 11 p.m. ET.
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Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots -
$1.602 billion on Aug. 8, 2023 in Florida
$1.537 billion on Oct. 23, 2018 in South Carolina
$1.348 billion on Jan. 1, 2023 in Maine
$1.337 billion on July 29, 2022 in Illinois
$1.269 billion on Dec. 27, 2024 in California
$1.128 billion on Mar. 26, 2024 in New Jersey
$1.05 billion on Jan 22, 2021 in Michigan
$983 million on Nov. 14, 2025 in Georgia
$810 million on Sept. 10, 2024 in Texas
$656 million on March 30, 2012 in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
1 / 0See Powerball and Mega Millions winners who hit the jackpotTennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul, left, walks with an excited Janis Goodwin, middle and Frances Davenport as they prepare to pick up their million-dollar Powerball check at the lottery headquarters in Nashville on Oct. 3, 2005.
More: What states have the most lottery winners? What you .
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a multi‑state lottery played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tickets cost $5, and players choose six numbers from two pools, five white balls numbered 1–70 and one gold Mega Ball numbered 1–24, or let the computer select numbers using Quick Pick/Easy Pick.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all six winning numbers. If more than one ticket matches, the jackpot prize is split among the winners.
How to play the Mega Millions
To play, purchase a Mega Millions ticket at participating retailers such as convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, tickets can also be purchased online.
After buying a ticket, pick five white ball numbers (1–70) and one Mega Ball number (1–24). Players who don’t want to choose their own numbers can opt for Quick Pick or Easy Pick, which randomly generates numbers.
Mega Millions tickets now include a built‑in multiplier, which automatically boosts non‑jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. Previously, players had to pay extra to add the Megaplier.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions winning numbers for April 21 drawing
Source: “AOL Money”
