The wait is finally over. The mega millions jackpot $800 million has been claimed after more than four months of anticipation, with a winning ticket sold in Florida ending one of the longest jackpot runs of the year.

Lottery officials confirmed that the winning ticket matched all the required numbers during the Tuesday, July 28, drawing. The massive prize carries a cash option valued at $344.2 million, making it the third Mega Millions jackpot won in 2026 and the 10th-largest jackpot in the game's history.

Like lightning striking after a long summer storm, the winning ticket brought an end to a streak that had captivated millions of hopeful players across the country.

Winner Faces Two Major Payout Choices

The Florida winner now has a significant financial decision ahead.

Under Mega Millions rules, the jackpot winner can either accept a single lump-sum cash payment or choose the annuity option, which begins with an immediate payment followed by annual installments that increase by 5% each year.

The jackpot had continued to grow after 38 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner. The previous jackpot was claimed in March on St. Patrick's Day, when an Ohio player won a $60 million prize.

Winning Numbers Revealed

The winning numbers drawn Tuesday night were:

34 – 48 – 49 – 59 – 70

Mega Ball: 12

Players across the nation quickly checked their tickets as the long-awaited results were announced.

Two More Players Walk Away With Million-Dollar Prizes

While one Florida ticket captured the headline-grabbing jackpot, two additional players also celebrated life-changing wins.

A ticket sold in New York matched all five white balls to earn a $3 million Match 5 prize, while another player in Illinois claimed a $5 million Match 5 prize.

With the grand prize now claimed, the Mega Millions jackpot resets to $50 million ahead of the next drawing, scheduled for Friday, July 31, at 11 p.m. ET.

How Mega Millions Is Played

Mega Millions is offered in 45 states, along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, giving millions of players multiple chances to compete for enormous jackpots.

Each ticket costs $5. Players select five white ball numbers ranging from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. Those who prefer not to choose their own numbers can request a Quick Pick or Easy Pick, allowing the lottery system to generate random selections automatically.

To capture the jackpot, a ticket must match all six winning numbers. If more than one player matches every number in the same drawing, the jackpot is divided equally among the winners.

Claim Deadlines Vary by State

Lottery officials remind winners that the amount of time available to claim prizes depends on the state where the ticket was purchased.

According to Mega Millions, claim periods generally range from 90 days to one year following the drawing date. Players are encouraged to verify deadlines through their respective state lottery agencies.

Tickets can be purchased at numerous retail locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In several participating states, players also have the option to purchase Mega Millions tickets online where permitted by law.

Built-In Multiplier Boosts Non-Jackpot Winnings

Mega Millions now includes a built-in multiplier with every ticket purchase, automatically increasing eligible non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x.

The enhancement replaces the former optional Megaplier add-on, which previously required players to pay an additional fee to multiply secondary prizes.

With the mega millions jackpot $800 million officially claimed, attention now shifts to the next drawing as hopeful players begin chasing the lottery's newly reset jackpot once again.