A single lottery ticket sold in Holyoke, Massachusetts, won a record-setting $29.71 million Megabucks jackpot in the drawing on Monday, September 7, 2026. The win ended a nine-month jackpot run that began in late 2025, establishing a new record for the largest jackpot in the history of the in-state draw game.
The winning numbers for the September 7 drawing were 21, 28, 31, 34, 40, and 44. King Mart, located on Westfield Road in Holyoke, sold the winning ticket. The retailer will receive a financial bonus from the Massachusetts State Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
Historical context of the record win
The $29.71 million prize surpasses a forty-year-old record for the Megabucks game. The previous record for the largest jackpot occurred on October 16, 1985, when eight winning tickets split a $21.7 million prize. At the time, that draw represented the third-largest lottery jackpot in United States history.
This drawing also set a new record for the largest Megabucks jackpot won by a single ticket. The previous single-ticket record stood at $16.35 million, won by a player who purchased a ticket in Ware for the September 10, 2022 drawing. The nine-month accumulation period for the September 2026 draw allowed the prize pool to grow significantly past these previous limits.
While Massachusetts lottery players celebrate this draw game milestone, other state lotteries are also updating their offerings. For example, the Michigan Lottery launched Daily 5 to provide players with new daily play structures. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Lottery launched its Pick 6 second-chance promotion to give players more opportunities to win on non-jackpot tickets.
How the November 2023 rule changes influenced the jackpot
The size of the September 2026 jackpot is directly linked to major game modifications implemented by the Massachusetts State Lottery on November 12, 2023. Lottery officials restructured the game format to improve non-jackpot odds and accelerate prize accumulation.
The 2023 restructuring introduced several key changes to the game:
- The number matrix decreased from 6/49 to 6/44, lowering the pool of select numbers.
- The ticket price increased from $1 to $2 per play.
- The “Megabucks Doubler” mechanic was retired, and the game returned to its original “Megabucks” name.
- All non-jackpot prize tiers doubled in value.
- A third weekly drawing was added on Mondays, joining the existing Wednesday and Saturday schedule.
These adjustments improved the overall odds of winning any prize. The addition of the Monday drawing increased the frequency of rolls, allowing the jackpot pool to grow at a faster rate when no ticket matched all six numbers.
Megabucks odds and prize tiers
The current Megabucks format offers four prize tiers based on the 6/44 matrix. Below is the breakdown of the odds and prize structures for the game:
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 6 of 6 | Jackpot (Starts at $500,000) | 1 in 7,059,052 |
| 5 of 6 | $2,000 | 1 in 30,961 |
| 4 of 6 | $100 | 1 in 669 |
| 3 of 6 | $4 | 1 in 42 |
The overall odds of winning any prize in a Megabucks drawing are 1 in 39.3. Following the jackpot win on September 7, the jackpot reset to its starting amount of $500,000 for the Wednesday, September 9 drawing.
How to purchase draw game tickets online
Lottery players who want to participate in state draw games can register with online lottery platforms to purchase tickets digitally. Depending on regional regulations, players can purchase official lottery tickets online through verified courier services, which digitize paper tickets and securely upload them to user accounts.
Claim processes for Massachusetts Lottery winners
Lottery winners in Massachusetts have exactly one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes. For the September 7, 2026 drawing, the winner must claim the $29.71 million jackpot before the close of business on September 7, 2027.
The prize must be claimed in person at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters located in Dorchester. Prizes over $100,000 cannot be claimed at regional offices or via mail. The winner can select between a one-time cash option or an annuity payment paid out over 20 years. State and federal tax withholdings apply to all major lottery winnings at the time of payout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where must the $29.71 million Megabucks jackpot be claimed?
The winner must claim the jackpot prize at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. Regional lottery offices cannot process claims of this size.
How long does the winner have to collect the prize?
Massachusetts State Lottery rules state that players have one year from the drawing date to claim prizes. The deadline for this specific drawing is September 7, 2027.
What is the drawing schedule for Massachusetts Megabucks?
Megabucks drawings take place three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 9:00 PM EST.
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