How Much Is a Mega Millions Ticket?
A Mega Millions ticket costs $5 per play. That’s the standard price at any authorized retailer in the United States, and it’s been that way since April 2025, when the game underwent its biggest overhaul in nearly a decade.
If you haven’t played in a while — or if you’ve seen older articles still quoting $2 — here’s what you need to know: the price changed, the game changed, and the prizes got bigger. This guide covers everything, from the basic ticket cost to how the new Multiplier works, what your money actually buys, and the smartest ways to play.
How Much Does a Mega Millions Ticket Cost in 2026?
The current cost of a Mega Millions ticket is $5 per play. Each play gives you one set of numbers — five main numbers (chosen from 1–70) and one Mega Ball (chosen from 1–24). Every ticket now includes the built-in Multiplier feature automatically; there’s no longer an optional add-on to worry about.
| Quick answer: $5 per play. The old $2 price ended in April 2025. |
Mega Millions Ticket Price History
The $5 price tag wasn’t always the case. Here’s how the ticket price has evolved:
- 1996–2017: Tickets cost $1 per play when the game launched as ‘The Big Game’
- 2017–April 2025: A format change raised the price to $2 per play
- April 2025–present: A major game revamp raised the price to $5 per play
The April 2025 changes included a higher starting jackpot ($50 million, up from $40 million), improved rollover mechanics that build jackpots faster, and the replacement of the optional Megaplier with a built-in Multiplier that applies to every ticket automatically.
Most Common Mega Ball Numbers
Mega Millions Ticket Price Breakdown
The price is straightforward: $5 per play. If you buy multiple plays — either on one ticket or across several — you pay $5 for each.
| Play Option | Ticket Price | Notes |
| Standard single play | $5 | Base entry, includes Multiplier |
| 2 plays | $10 | 2 number sets |
| 5 plays | $25 | Most popular multi-play |
| 10 plays | $50 | Common for pools |
Also Read: Mega Millions vs Powerball: Key Differences
What Does Your $5 Mega Millions Ticket Include?
Your $5 buys more than just entry into the draw. Since April 2025, every Mega Millions ticket automatically includes:
One Set of Numbers
You pick five main numbers from 1–70 and one Mega Ball from 1–24. You can choose your own numbers or use Quick Pick (also called Lucky Pick) to have the machine generate them randomly.
The Built-in Multiplier
This replaced the old optional Megaplier add-on. Every ticket is automatically assigned a Multiplier number — ranging from 2x to 10x — at the time of the draw. If you win a non-jackpot prize, that prize is multiplied by your assigned number. The second-tier prize (matching all five main numbers without the Mega Ball) can be boosted to anywhere between $2 million and $10 million, depending on the Multiplier drawn.
There’s no longer a choice about whether to include this feature — it’s part of every $5 ticket.
Entry Into Two Weekly Draws
Mega Millions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 11:00 PM Eastern Time. When you buy a ticket, you’re entering the next scheduled draw. Most retailers also allow you to buy multi-draw tickets, which automatically enter you into consecutive draws without needing to buy a new lottery ticket each time.
Mega Millions Prize Tiers: What Can You Win?
There are nine prize tiers in Mega Millions. Winning any prize requires matching at least the Mega Ball on its own. The jackpot requires matching all six numbers.
| Numbers Matched | Prize | Odds |
| 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot ($50M+) | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| 5 (no Mega Ball) | $1,000,000 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 (no Mega Ball) | $500 | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 + Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 (no Mega Ball) | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| 2 + Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| 1 + Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 | 1in 37 |
Also Read: Top 10 most common mega ball numbers
Remember: the Multiplier applies to all prizes except the jackpot. So a $200 prize with a 10x Multiplier becomes $2,000.
How the Jackpot Works
The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $50 million and rolls over to the next draw whenever no one wins. Since the April 2025 revamp introduced faster rollover mechanics, jackpots tend to build more quickly than before.
There’s no cap on how large the jackpot can grow. Some of the biggest in lottery history have exceeded $1 billion. The current record stands at $1.602 billion, won in August 2023.
Odds of Winning Mega Millions
Mega Millions is not known for favourable odds. The jackpot probability is 1 in 302,575,350 — one of the longest shots in American lotteries. Here’s some perspective:
- You are roughly 70 times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime
- You are about 100 times more likely to be dealt a royal flush on your first poker hand
That said, the overall odds of winning any prize sit at approximately 1 in 23. Lower-tier wins — matching just the Mega Ball, for example — are relatively common.
The Multiplier makes those smaller prizes more meaningful.
Also Read: How Mega Millions Numbers Are Drawn & Payouts Work
Where to Buy Mega Millions Tickets
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the US Virgin Islands. A handful of US states — Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah — do not participate in Mega Millions.
In-Store
The most straightforward option. Authorized retailers include:
- Convenience stores and gas stations
- Supermarkets and grocery stores
- Dedicated lottery kiosks in malls and transit hubs
Simply ask for a Mega Millions ticket and specify how many plays you want, or fill out a play slip. You can also request a Quick Pick if you’d rather not choose your numbers.
Online
If you live outside the US — or in a state that doesn’t sell Mega Millions tickets online, Platforms like WeLoveLotto purchase official tickets on your behalf at authorized US retailers, scan and upload your ticket, and notify you if you win. The price is $7 per line when you buy from WeLoveLotto but the additional fee is reasonable considering that you no longer need to fly anywhere to buy your ticket.
Smart Ways to Play Mega Millions
Multi-Draw Tickets
Instead of buying a new ticket for every draw, you can purchase a multi-draw ticket that covers 5, 10, 15, 25, or up to 52 consecutive draws. Your numbers are locked in, you never miss a draw, and you don’t have to think about it every week. This is ideal for players who have a consistent set of numbers they play regularly.
Lottery Pools
A lottery pool (or syndicate) means a group of people contributing money to buy multiple tickets together, sharing any prizes if they win. The more tickets in the pool, the better your collective odds — though any prize is divided proportionally among members.
Office pools and friend groups are the most common formats. Make sure everyone gets written confirmation of their contribution and the agreed split before any draw.
Responsible Bankroll
Set a fixed budget per week or month before you start playing. A $5 ticket is cheap entertainment with a real (if remote) shot at life-changing money — but like all gambling, it should never exceed what you can comfortably afford to lose. The expected value of a Mega Millions ticket is negative in most draws; the fun is in the possibility, not the probability.
Where Does Your Ticket Money Go?
Mega Millions allocates approximately 50% of ticket sales revenue to the prize pool. The remaining half is distributed as follows:
- Retailer commissions (for in-store sales)
- Lottery vendor and administrative fees
- State beneficiary funds — most commonly education
The game runs across 45 participating jurisdictions including DC. Of those jurisdictions, 27 states earmark a portion of lottery revenue specifically for education. For example:
- The Texas Lottery transferred over $1.6 billion to its Foundation School Fund in 2019 alone
- Pennsylvania’s lottery has contributed more than $30 billion to senior citizen programmes over its lifetime
- Minnesota and Colorado direct lottery funds to wildlife and conservation trusts
When you buy a Mega Millions ticket, a meaningful fraction goes directly to state public services — regardless of whether anyone wins.
Also Read: Mega Millions Payout Chart Explained
The Bottom Line
A Mega Millions ticket costs $5 per play. Since April 2025, that $5 buys you one official entry plus the built-in Multiplier — which can boost non-jackpot prizes by up to 10x. The jackpot starts at $50 million and rolls over until someone matches all six numbers.
The odds are long, the game is simple, and for $5 you’re buying genuine participation in one of the biggest lottery draws in the world. Whether you pick your numbers at a gas station counter or play online, the official ticket is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Mega Millions ticket?
A standard Mega Millions ticket costs $5 per play as of April 2025. Each play includes the built-in Multiplier feature at no extra cost.
Did the ticket price change recently?
Yes. In April 2025, Mega Millions raised the price from $2 to $5 per play. The game also removed the optional Megaplier add-on and replaced it with a built-in Multiplier.
What is the Multiplier?
The Multiplier is a number automatically assigned to every ticket. It can boost non-jackpot prizes by 2x to 10x their base amount, and boosts the second-tier prize to between $2 million and $10 million.
Can I still play for $2?
No. The $2 price ended in April 2025. All Mega Millions tickets now cost $5 per play.
What days does Mega Millions draw?
Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
What are the odds of winning the jackpot?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 23.
Where does ticket revenue go?
50% of ticket revenue goes into the prize pool. The rest is split between state beneficiaries — most commonly education funds — plus retailer commissions and lottery administration costs.
Can I play Mega Millions online?
In some states, yes — through official state lottery websites. Players outside the US can use websites such as WeLoveLotto
