how much does it cost to play mega millions
A standard Mega Millions ticket currently costs $5 per play in most U.S. jurisdictions.
Current ticket price
- Mega Millions raised the base price from $2 to $5 starting with the April 8, 2025 drawing.
- This is the second price increase in the gameās history; it previously went from $1 to $2 in 2017.
What the $5 ticket includes
- For $5 , you pick five numbers from 1ā70 and one Mega Ball from 1ā25 , or use a Quick Pick.
- The new $5 structure includes a builtāin random multiplier on nonājackpot prizes (typically 2Ćā10Ć), so you no longer pay extra for a separate āMegaplierā addāon.
Quickāreference pricing table
Item| Price (USD)
---|---
Standard Mega Millions play| $5.00 137
Previous standard play (before 2025)| $2.00 379
First historical price (early 2000s)| $1.00 79
Why the price went up
- The $5 price is tied to an overhaul that brings larger nonājackpot prizes , better odds of winning the jackpot , and higher starting jackpots that grow faster.
- Lotteries say the change aims to keep jackpots ālifeāchangingā while giving players more value per dollar when they do win smaller tiers.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
