On September 19, 2024, the Mega Millions drawing featured an enormous jackpot of $400 million. While many hoped to claim the life-changing prize, the winning ticket was sold in California, making one lucky player an instant multi-millionaire.
This article will delve into the details of the drawing, the winning numbers, and what this win means for the future of the Mega Millions lottery.
Winning Numbers for September 19, 2024
The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on September 19, 2024, were:
- Main Numbers: 6, 9, 13, 29, 66
- Mega Ball: 24
- Megaplier: 2x
These numbers ended the excitement surrounding the $400 million jackpot, as a single ticket matched all six numbers. The winner now has the option to receive the full amount as an annuity over 30 years or take a lump-sum cash payout, which is estimated to be around $208 million before taxes.
Prize Breakdown
Apart from the jackpot winner, the drawing created thousands of additional winners across various prize tiers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the prize distribution:
| Match Type | Prize Amount | Winners | Total Prize Fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 + Mega Ball | $400,000,000 | 1 | $400,000,000 |
| Match 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Match 4 + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 8 | $80,000 |
| Match 4 | $500 | 302 | $151,000 |
| Match 3 + Mega Ball | $200 | 776 | $155,200 |
| Match 3 | $10 | 21,761 | $217,610 |
| Match 2 + Mega Ball | $10 | 15,222 | $152,220 |
| Match 1 + Mega Ball | $4 | 109,738 | $438,952 |
| Match 0 + Mega Ball | $2 | 256,394 | $512,788 |
Megaplier Winners
The Megaplier option allows players to multiply their non-jackpot winnings by a factor of 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x for an additional $1 per ticket. For this drawing, the Megaplier was 2x, doubling the winnings for many players:
| Match Type (Megaplier) | Prize Amount | Winners | Total Prize Fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 | $2,000,000 | 0 | $0 |
| Match 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 | 2 | $40,000 |
| Match 4 | $1,000 | 102 | $102,000 |
| Match 3 + Mega Ball | $400 | 252 | $100,800 |
| Match 3 | $20 | 6,661 | $133,220 |
| Match 2 + Mega Ball | $20 | 4,589 | $91,780 |
| Match 1 + Mega Ball | $8 | 31,682 | $253,456 |
| Match 0 + Mega Ball | $4 | 71,927 | $287,708 |
What Happens Next?
With the jackpot now reset to its base amount of $20 million, players across the country are gearing up for the next drawing, hoping to take home a significant prize. The excitement continues to build, and ticket sales are expected to soar as players dream of becoming the next big winner.
The Mega Millions lottery continues to change lives and create excitement across the nation. Whether you’re a regular player or just trying your luck for the first time, remember that each ticket brings the possibility of joining the ranks of past winners. Good luck!