Florida Ticket Claims $800 Million Mega Millions Jackpot

A single ticket purchased at a Wawa convenience store in Bradenton, Florida, has won the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot in the Tuesday, July 28 drawing, ending a 38-drawing rollover streak that spanned more than four months. The prize ranks as the 10th-largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game’s history and is the biggest lottery prize won in Florida since the state’s record $1.602 billion Mega Millions win in August 2023.

According to USA Today, the winning numbers drawn were 34, 48, 49, 59, and 70, with a Mega Ball of 12. The winner has the option of taking the full $800 million as an annuity paid out over 29 years or a lump-sum cash payment of $344.2 million before taxes.

The Winning Ticket

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the winning ticket was sold at the Wawa located at 14510 State Road 70 E in Bradenton, Florida, near Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County. The identity of the ticket holder has not yet been revealed, and the winner has not come forward publicly as of Wednesday, July 29.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Florida’s newest Mega Millions jackpot winner on this incredible, life-changing moment,” Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald Dixon said in a statement. “This win is an exciting reminder that every ticket carries the possibility of a dream come true.” Dixon also highlighted that every ticket purchased contributes to funding education across the state.

Ending a Lengthy Drought

The jackpot had rolled over for 38 consecutive drawings since the last Mega Millions win on March 17, 2026, when a ticket purchased in Ohio claimed a $60 million prize on St. Patrick’s Day. Over more than four months without a jackpot winner, the prize pool grew steadily from $60 million to the $800 million threshold.

With the jackpot now claimed, Mega Millions has reset to $50 million for the next drawing scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET.

Prize Options and Deadlines

As Florida Today details, the winner faces two distinct deadlines depending on their choice of payment. If the winner wants the cash option, they must claim it within 60 days of the drawing, setting a deadline of Saturday, September 26, 2026. For those opting for the annuity — annual payments over 29 years with each installment 5% larger than the previous year — the deadline extends to 180 days, or Sunday, January 24, 2027.

Florida’s lack of a state income tax gives the winner a significant financial advantage compared to lottery winners in most other states. However, federal taxes will still be withheld at the time the prize is claimed.

Anonymity and Public Disclosure

Under Florida law, lottery winners cannot remain entirely anonymous. The Florida Lottery is required to provide records including the winner’s name, city of residence, game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information. However, winners of prizes $250,000 or greater receive a temporary 90-day exemption from public disclosure of their name after claiming, unless they waive that right. Lottery experts have noted there are legal strategies to further maintain privacy.

Other Winners

Beyond the grand prize, two other tickets won second-tier prizes in the same drawing. A ticket sold in Illinois matched five numbers with a 5X multiplier to win $5 million, while a ticket purchased in New York matched five numbers with a 3X multiplier to win $3 million.

Historical Context

This $800 million jackpot is the third Mega Millions win of 2026 and ties as the 10th-largest in the game’s history. It is also Florida’s second major Mega Millions win in three years, following the August 2023 record-setting $1.602 billion prize sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach, which remains the largest lottery prize ever won in the state.

Mega Millions tickets, which cost $5 each and include a built-in multiplier for non-jackpot prizes, are played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning the jackpot stand at approximately 1 in 290.5 million.

What’s Next

All eyes are now on the unidentified winner, who must decide between the lump-sum cash payment and long-term annuity while navigating Florida’s public disclosure rules. The next Mega Millions drawing on Friday, July 31, will feature a reset jackpot of $50 million, and lottery officials will be watching to see whether the streak of billion-dollar jackpots — a milestone the game has not reached since December 2024 — resumes later this year.