The Mega Millions jackpot has reached jaw-dropping heights, with Friday’s $843 million prize going unclaimed—setting the stage for a potential $900 million windfall in the next drawing. As hopeful players across the country clutch their tickets, the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch.
No Jackpot Winner—But Plenty of Excitement
Friday, November 7, 2025, saw millions tuning in for the Mega Millions drawing, hoping to match the elusive six numbers. The winning numbers were
16, 21, 23, 48, 70, and the Mega Ball was
5. Despite the massive prize, no ticket matched all six numbers, meaning the jackpot will roll over yet again.
The cash option for Friday’s drawing was a staggering
$391.7 million—a life-changing sum for any lucky winner. But with no one claiming the top prize, the jackpot is now projected to soar to
$900 million for the next drawing, making it one of the largest in Mega Millions history.
What Happens Next?
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET, and ticket sales close at 10:45 p.m. on drawing nights. With the jackpot swelling, lottery retailers are bracing for a surge in ticket sales as players chase the dream of instant wealth.
Even though the jackpot went unclaimed, there were still
688,058 winning tickets across all prize tiers in Friday’s drawing, with total nationwide winnings exceeding
$13.8 million. So, it’s worth checking your numbers—even if you didn’t hit the big one, you might still be a winner.
How Much Would a Winner Really Take Home?
While the advertised jackpot is eye-popping, the actual payout is significantly less after taxes. The IRS immediately withholds
24% of lottery winnings, and the total federal tax bill can climb as high as
37% depending on your income bracket. State taxes vary, with some states like California and Florida not taxing lottery winnings at all, while others, such as New York, can take up to
10.9%.
For Friday’s $843 million jackpot, the lump-sum cash option was $391.7 million before taxes. After federal and potential state taxes, the winner would likely take home less than half the advertised amount.
Why the Mega Millions Jackpot Keeps Growing
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are famously steep—about 1 in 302.6 million. This astronomical difficulty is what allows the jackpot to grow so large, as weeks can pass without a winner. The excitement builds with each rollover, drawing in more players and pushing the prize ever higher.
What to Do If You Win
If you’re lucky enough to hit the jackpot, experts recommend:
- Signing your ticket immediately.
- Consulting with a financial advisor and tax attorney before claiming your prize.
- Considering whether to take the lump sum or annuity payments.
Remember, you have up to a year to claim your prize in most states, but rules vary—so check your local lottery’s guidelines.
The Next Drawing: Will History Be Made?
With the next Mega Millions drawing set for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, all eyes are on whether someone will finally claim the nearly billion-dollar prize. If not, the jackpot could climb even higher, fueling another round of lottery mania.
Stay tuned—fortune could be just one ticket away.
Sources
1. MegaMillions: November 4, 2025 - YouTube
2. Mega Millions After Taxes: How Much Will the Winner Get?
3. Mega Millions winning numbers, results for Friday, November 7, 2025
4. Mega Millions winner claims he bought 2 jackpot tickets but ...
5. Winning Powerball numbers last night in Nov. 8 lottery drawing: Anyone win Powerball jackpot?
6. Next Mega Millions Drawing: Exciting Jackpot Updates and ...
7. Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, November 8, 2025
8. Powerball for Saturday, Nov. 8, at $467 million as Mega Millions reaches $900 million
9. Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for Nov. 7, 2025
10. Mega Millions jackpot in top 10 highest at $843 million, see Friday, Nov. 7 winning numbers
11. Fri., 11/7/2025 - Mega Millions
12. Mega Millions Detailed Results – 11/07/2025 - Maryland Lottery
13. Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $900 Million
