The Mega Millions lottery is making headlines again, with a jaw-dropping $714 million jackpot up for grabs in the upcoming Tuesday, October 28 drawing. As anticipation builds nationwide, recent changes to the game promise even bigger prizes and more frequent billion-dollar jackpots—making this one of the most exciting moments in Mega Millions history.
Record-Breaking Jackpots and No Recent Winners
Friday’s drawing on October 24 saw
no winner for the $680 million jackpot, pushing the prize even higher for next week’s draw. The winning numbers for Friday were 11, 18, 31, 51, 56, and the gold Mega Ball 24, but no ticket matched all six numbers. This marks yet another rollover in a streak that has lottery fans dreaming of life-changing riches.
The current $714 million jackpot ranks among the largest in Mega Millions history, continuing a trend of massive payouts. Earlier this year, a single ticket in California won a staggering
$1.22 billion, the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. With jackpots now climbing faster and more frequently, experts predict that billion-dollar prizes could become a regular occurrence.
Game-Changing Updates: Higher Stakes, Bigger Wins
Mega Millions recently underwent a major revamp designed to deliver
higher, faster-growing jackpots and improved odds for players. Here’s what’s new:
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Ticket price increased to $5 per game (up from
$2), effective April 2025.
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Jackpots now start at $50 million, up from previous minimums.
- The popular
Multiplier Feature (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) is now included in the base ticket price—no extra charge.
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Odds of winning the jackpot have improved to 1 in 290 million, down from 1 in 303 million.
- Expect
big jackpots ($700M+) 9-10 times per year, compared to just 3-4 previously.
- Billion-dollar jackpots could hit 4-6 times every two years.
These changes are designed to make the game simpler, more exciting, and more rewarding for players. Lottery officials say the updates will lead to “improved jackpot odds, more frequent giant prizes, and even larger payouts”.
How to Play and What’s Next
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. To win the jackpot, players must match five white balls and the gold Mega Ball. Even if you don’t hit the jackpot, there are multiple prize tiers, with second-tier prizes reaching up to
$5 million if you opt for the Megaplier.
With the next drawing set for Tuesday, October 28, lottery retailers are bracing for a surge in ticket sales as Americans chase the dream of becoming the next Mega Millions billionaire.
What This Means for Players
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Higher ticket prices mean bigger jackpots and more excitement, but also a higher cost to play.
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Improved odds and more frequent giant prizes could make Mega Millions even more popular.
- The game’s overhaul is expected to attract new players and keep longtime fans engaged.
As the jackpot climbs and the game evolves, one thing is clear: Mega Millions mania is here to stay. Will the next drawing finally crown a new multimillionaire—or will the prize keep growing toward another billion-dollar milestone?
Sources
1. Mega Millions Drawing 10-24-2025 - YouTube
2. Mega Millions winning ticket for $1.22 billion lottery jackpot ...
3. Mega Millions jackpot October 28 is $714 million. Where it ranks among all-time winners
4. Mega Millions - Jackpot Drawings
5. Did anyone win Mega Millions $680M jackpot? Winning numbers for Friday, October 24, 2025
6. Jackpot History
7. Mega Millions numbers in Oct 24 lottery drawing last night: Winning Mega Millions numbers, results
8. Check winning numbers for tonight's $1.13 billion Mega ...
9. Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $680 million, see winning numbers for Friday, Oct. 24
10. Mega Millions - Lotto Games
11. Tue., 10/21/2025 - Mega Millions
