Upcoming Changes to Mega Millions
A series of changes are coming to Mega Millions in April 2025. It will be the first time in almost eight years that the game has had a significant update. Find full details of all the alterations below, but here is a quick summary:
- Ticket price to rise to $5
- The Mega Ball pool will decrease from 25 to 24 balls
- Optional Megaplier to be replaced by an automatic Multiplier that is included in the cost of entry
- 'Just the Jackpot' feature to be removed in states where it is currently offered
- Starting jackpot to increase from $20 million
The purpose of these changes is to freshen up the multi-state lottery and provide extra excitement, as the odds of winning will improve. This is the case for both the jackpot and the overall odds of getting any prize. The size of the average jackpot is also expected to increase.
The cost per play has been $2 since October 2017, with the option to add Megaplier for an extra $1. From April 5, 2025, this is set to be raised to $5. The Multiplier feature will now be incorporated into the ticket price and won’t be optional.
The new-look Multiplier will include a 10X option for the first time ever, along with 2X, 3X, 4X and 5X. The multiplier will be selected as part of each Mega Millions draw, and whichever value is drawn it will be applied to all non-jackpot prizes.
As the Multiplier is now included on every ticket, it means the lowest payout you could receive is $10, just for matching the Mega Ball. This also means there will be no ‘breakeven’ prizes - if you win, you will receive more than the cost of a ticket.
You will continue to pick five main numbers from 1 to 70, plus a Mega Ball. However, the range of numbers for the Mega Ball is set to be reduced from 1 out of 25 to 1 out of 24. This is the tweak that boosts the odds of winning. Your chances of winning the jackpot, for example, will go from 1 in 302,575,350 to 1 in 290,472,336.
The following table shows all the new odds and how to win.
| Prize Category | Old Odds | New Odds | Old Prize | New Base Prize* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 302,575,350 | 1 in 290,472,336 | Jackpot | Jackpot |
| 5 Numbers | 1 in 12,607,306 | 1 in 12,629,232 | $1 Million | $1 Million |
| 4 Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 | 1 in 893,761 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 4 Numbers | 1 in 38,792 | 1 in 38,859 | $500 | $500 |
| 3 Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 | 1 in 13,965 | $200 | $200 |
| 3 Numbers | 1 in 606 | 1 in 607 | $10 | $10 |
| 2 Numbers + Mega Ball | 1 in 693 | 1 in 665 | $10 | $10 |
| 1 Number + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 | 1 in 86 | $4 | $7 |
| Mega Ball Only | 1 in 37 | 1 in 35 | $2 | $5 |
*The new base prize amounts are shown for guidance, as these will always be multiplied by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times.
The overall odds of winning a prize will be updated to 1 in 23.07.
Multiplier Prize Amounts
The table below shows the prizes you will be able to win in the new-look Mega Millions, depending on whether the multiplier is 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x.
| Multiplier | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x | 10x |
| 5 Numbers | $2 million | $3 million | $4 million | $5 million | $10 million |
| 4 Numbers + Mega Ball | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| 4 Numbers | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 3 Numbers + Mega Ball | $200 | $300 | $400 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 3 Numbers | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 2 Numbers + Mega Ball | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 1 Number + Mega Ball | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| Mega Ball Only | $10 | $15 | $20 | $25 | $50 |
The table below shows the odds of each multiplier being drawn. There is more chance that one of the lower values will be selected, but even these will significantly increase your payout. If the 10x multiplier is drawn, everyone in the Match 5 + Mega Ball prize tier wins $10 million, while just matching the Mega Ball will reward you with $50.
| Multiplier | Odds of being Drawn |
|---|---|
| 2x | 1 in 2.3 |
| 3x | 1 in 3.2 |
| 4x | 1 in 8 |
| 5x | 1 in 16 |
| 10x | 1 in 32 |
*The proposed new rules have been published by a number of state lotteries and changes are expected to be implemented on April 5, 2025, although all the details of the modification have still to be formally confirmed.