Mega Millions Hits $400M for September 16, 2025 Draw

The Mega Millions jackpot is now a whopping $400 million for the drawing on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. This is due to one jackpot winner with no last draw, it has rolled over once again, giving lottery players throughout the United States another opportunity to win a life-changing jackpot.

This continued climb of the jackpot is one of the biggest size prizepool of 2025 so far, and the millions of hopeful lottery winners are only amplifying their excitement in preparation for the next draw.

Winning Numbers of the September 12, 2025 Mega Millions Draw

The previous Mega Millions draw took place on Friday, September 12, 2025, the winning numbers were :

• 05, 10, 23, 31, 37 
• Mega Ball 12
• Megaplier 3X.

Although no ticket matched all six numbers to win the jackpot, many players still won smaller prizes ranging from a few hundreds to over a million dollars. This showed where the jackpot ended up, rolling over to an even $400 million for September 16.

How to Buy Mega Millions Tickets

Buying a Mega Millions ticket is straightforward and there are two ways to buy one.

• In-person purchase: Mega Millions tickets can be purchased at any licensed lottery retailer in any of the 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Online purchase: Many states recently have begun allowing players to purchase tickets online through authorized lottery websites and apps.

Tickets are $2 each, and players can choose to add the Megaplier for an additional $1 (this allows players to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by up to 5x).

Steps to Follow After Winning Mega Millions

Winning the lottery is a drastic change in one's life, and thus urgent matters must be dealt with cautiously. Here is a list of steps that all winners are advised to follow:

• Protect your ticket - Sign the back of the winning ticket immediately to prevent theft or fraud.
• Learn the rules - Each state has its own rules with regard to claim deadlines, the limit being usually from 90 days to 1 year.
• Consult with professionals - Work with a financial advisor and perhaps a lawyer in determining how to best manage your prize.
• Determine your payout option - Upon winning, one can select either a lump-sum cash option or to get paid out in installments over 30 years.
• Protect your privacy - If possible, some states allow the winner to claim the prize anonymously, enabling you to protect your safety.

Mega Millions Odds and Prize Breakdown

The jackpot odds of winning Mega Millions is 1 in 302,575,350, making it one of the hardest lotteries to win. However, the game has nine prize levels, so you can win smaller amounts matched with fewer numbers.

• Match 5 plus Mega Ball → Jackpot (currently $400M)
• Match 5 only → $1 million
• Match 4 plus Mega Ball → $10,000
• Match 3 plus Mega Ball → $200

And small prizes down to $2 for matching just the Mega Ball.

Mega Millions Prize Options: Cash vs. Annuity

Winners can decide between:

• Annuity Option, which is paid out over a span of 30 years in yearly payments (plus interest on those payments meaning a higher total payout than the cash value)
• Cash Option, paid in a lump sum one payment, less than the jackpot, but yours to use immediately

Which option is best for you will depend on your personal financial strategy and tax purposes.

Why is Mega Millions So Popular? 

Mega Millions attracts millions of players due to:

• Jackpots at a large scale of $400 million
• Multiple ways to win, including even if you don't hit the jackpot
• Media hype for large draws
• Simple rules that are easy to understand

This combination makes Mega Millions the most played lottery in the U.S. 

When Are Mega Millions Drawings Held?

Mega Millions drawings are held two days a week:

• Tuesday nights at 11:00 PM ET
• Friday nights at 11:00 PM ET

Players must purchase their tickets before the cut-off time, which is different in each state (there is usually a cut-off time around 9:45 PM through 10:00 PM ET).