Mega Millions Jackpot Swells to $178 Million for Friday Drawing; Winning Numbers Announced

Key facts

• The Mega Millions jackpot for Friday, May 1, 2026, was estimated at $178 million.
• Winning numbers: 16, 21, 27, 41, 61, Mega Ball 24.
• Cash option: $79.6 million.
• Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 10 p.m. CT.
• The next drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, at 11 p.m. ET.
• The $178 million jackpot follows a $143 million Powerball jackpot won on April 29.
• Winners can choose a lump-sum cash payment or an annuity with annual payments increasing by 5%.

Jackpot Climbs Ahead of Friday Drawing

The Mega Millions jackpot reached an estimated $178 million for the drawing held on Friday, May 1, 2026, with a cash option of $79.6 million. The drawing took place at approximately 10 p.m. CT, and results on whether anyone claimed the top prize were still pending at the time of publication. The jackpot’s growth comes just two days after two lucky individuals split a $143 million Powerball jackpot on April 29. Nearly 90 other players across multiple states also won prizes ranging from $1 to $2 million in that drawing.

Winning Numbers Revealed

The winning numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing were 16, 21, 27, 41, and 61, with the Mega Ball number 24. Players who matched all five white balls and the Mega Ball would win the jackpot. To win any prize, a player need only match the Mega Ball, which can be worth between $10 and $50 depending on the multiplier.

Payout Options for Potential Winner

If a ticket holder claims the jackpot, they will have two payout options. The first is a one-time, lump-sum cash payment of $79.6 million. The second is an annuity: an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year, spread over 30 years. This structure is standard for Mega Millions jackpots.

Drawing Schedule and Viewing

Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, at approximately 10 p.m. CT. Players can watch the drawings live via YouTube. The next drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, at 11 p.m. ET.

Historic Jackpots in Context

While $178 million is a substantial sum, it pales in comparison to the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history: $1.602 billion, won in Florida on August 8, 2023. Other record jackpots include $1.537 billion in South Carolina (October 23, 2018), $1.348 billion in Maine (January 1, 2023), $1.337 billion in Illinois (July 29, 2022), $1.269 billion in California (December 27, 2024), and $1.128 billion in New Jersey (March 26, 2024).

What Comes Next

As of now, no winner has been announced for the May 1 drawing. Ticket holders are urged to check their numbers carefully. If no one claims the jackpot, the prize will roll over, increasing the estimated jackpot for the next drawing. The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, at 11 p.m. ET.

The bottom line

• The May 1 Mega Millions jackpot was $178 million with a $79.6 million cash option.
• Winning numbers: 16, 21, 27, 41, 61, Mega Ball 24.
• No winner has been confirmed as of publication; results are pending.
• Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 10 p.m. CT.
• The next drawing is Tuesday, May 5, at 11 p.m. ET.
• Winners can choose a lump sum or an annuity with 5% annual increases.