news blog > article

Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $303 million for tonight’s drawing

January 30, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:10 PM
image-photo

The Mega Millions jackpot continues to expand as it reached $303 million for Friday’s drawing.

A winner tonight would have the choice of taking home the $303 million jackpot as an annuity or $136.7 million in cash.

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes playing Mega Millions. Tuesday’s drawing produced more than 6,400 winning tickets in North Carolina.

Mega Millions players also help benefit education in the state as the current jackpot run has raised almost $5 million for education programs in North Carolina.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290 million.

Players can buy Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

3 COMMENTS

Login to leave a comment.

2/04/2026 08:47 - Marissa V.

I hope I winNC Lottery
We're crossing our fingers for you, Marissa!

1/30/2026 02:40 - Frederick J.

13 27 28 37 38 22

1/30/2026 01:56 - Christopher S.

UPDATE!!! I posted in a previous blog about buying 20 books of 5 million ultimate scratch off tickets, and losing money on 17 out of 20. The three winning books were $1,480, $1,100 and $980 ($900 per book) The losing books were BAD $280-$580. I just finished scratching my 27th book of the same ticket and the losses were so bad I am ashamed to even post. I want to thank you NCEL for taking ALL of the fun COMPLETELY out of something I very much used to enjoy. I never played above my means and always played responsibly. I have decided to take all my business to SC now, I have that option because I live on the NC/SC line. You should take note on losing a player such as myself, I'm not a High Roller by any means but I did always support NCEL because in the past I used to win ALOT more on buying scratch off's by the book, or at least come close to breaking even. You have gotten WAY to greedy for my. It truly is a sad day for me as I truly enjoyed the excitement of playing NCEL scratch off's. Best of luck to you.

Powerball Logo Jackpot Estimate $251 Million Cash Value $106.6 Million Next Drawing Mon, Sep 14 Latest Drawing Sat, Sep 12
14 16 23 58 69 3
POWER PLAY 2x Double Play
21 24 32 48 51 12
Game Info Buy Now
Mega Millions Logo Jackpot Estimate $227 Million Cash Value $96.3 Million Next Drawing Tue, Sep 15 Latest Drawing Fri, Sep 11
3 30 33 53 62 22
Game Info Buy Now
Cash 5 Logo Jackpot Estimate $432,000 Next Daily Drawing Mon, Sep 14 Latest Drawing Sun, Sep 13
8 12 19 20 23
DoublePlay
19 20 26 28 29
Game Info Buy Now
Millionaire for Life Logo Top Prizes $1 Million a year for life or $100,000 a year for life. Next Daily Drawing Mon, Sep 14 Latest Drawing Sun, Sep 13
5 8 27 40 46 1
Game Info Buy Now
Powerball Xs & Os Logo Jackpot Estimate $1 Million Next Drawing Sun, Sep 20 Latest Drawing Sun, Sep 13
TB CHI PHI PIT GB SF KC DAL
Game Info Buy Now
Pick 4 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Sun, Sep 13
7 4 3 4 0
Latest Evening Drawing Sun, Sep 13
7 1 6 1 9
Game Info Buy Now
Pick 3 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Sun, Sep 13
7 0 8 3
Latest Evening Drawing Sun, Sep 13
5 7 2 1
Game Info Buy Now
Cash POP Logo
Game Info Find Store
Keno Logo

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.
Watch Draw Find Store
FastPlay Logo
Progressive Jackpot Estimate
$598,037 Updated: Monday, 7:55:22 AM
View Games Find Store