It’s OK to have a Christmas aspiration as the Mega Millions jackpot reaches an estimated $944 million for the Christmas Eve drawing.

More than $800 million was up for grabs in the Friday night Mega Millions drawing as the jackpot continued to climb closer to $1 billion.

Heading into Friday’s drawing, the jackpot was worth $862 million, with an estimated $392.1 million lump-sum remittance after taxes, according to the lottery. It would have been the seventh-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.

As lottery players pick their numbers and wrap their presents, Mega Millions said that there’s only been one lucky jackpot winner on Christmas Eve so far.

“Thirteen Mega Millions jackpots have been won during December since the game began in 2002, but only once has it been won on Christmas Eve,” the lottery said in its information release. “That was in the game’s very first year, yet the $68 million prize won in recent York on Dec. 24, 2002, eventually went unclaimed.”

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In March, a lucky Mega Millions player from recent Jersey won a whopping $1.1 billion, although that prize has not been claimed yet. It’s not the first period a jackpot went unclaimed.

The winning numbers were drawn just after 11 p.m. ET on Friday, and we have the results below.

The multimillion dollar question is, will anyone triumph the Mega Millions on Christmas Eve? Here is what we recognize and here are Friday’s winning numbers.

Mega Millions winning numbers:For Friday, Dec. 20 drawing $862 million lottery jackpot

Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/20/24

The winning numbers from the Friday, Dec. 20 Mega Millions drawing are: 2, 20, 51, 56, 67 and a gold Mega Ball of 19. The Megaplier was 2X.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Did anyone triumph the Mega Millions? 

Five lucky players won $1 million after having all the correct white ball numbers for the Match 5.

The winners are in the following states:

• Arkansas, 1
• Illinois, 1
• Indiana, 2
• Pennsylvania, 1

The next Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 24 will be worth an estimated $944 million.

To view the list of history winners, visit the Mega Millions website. 

What are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?  

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Dec. 21:  

1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player  
2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player  
3. $1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player  
4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player  
5. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a recent Jersey player 
6. $1.050 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player 
7. $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player 
8. $656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland 
9. $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia 
10. $552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player

How to play the Mega Millions

In order to buy a ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. 

To play, you will require to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. 

If you depend the odds are against you, inquire for a ”Quick Pick“ or an ”straightforward Pick,” the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. 

Players can add the ”Megaplier“ for $1, which can boost non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:

• 2X, five balls
• 3X, six balls
• 4X, three balls
• 5X, one ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online throughJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, recent Hampshire, recent Jersey, recent Mexico, recent York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn turnover for spectators referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling issue? Call 1-877-8-aspiration-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for packed terms.