Back-to-Back Mega Millions Winners Reset the Jackpot
The Mega Millions lottery made headlines this week after two players hit the jackpot in quick succession, ending a months-long drought and resetting the prize pool. Earlier in the week, a player in Ohio claimed a $60 million jackpot, just days after a player in Illinois won a massive $536 million prize on March 10. These back-to-back wins have caused the Mega Millions jackpot to reset to $50 million, with a cash option of $22.6 million for the next drawing scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026. The recent surge in winners has brought renewed excitement to lottery players across the country, as many hope to become the next big winner.
The winning numbers for the March 20 drawing were 11, 20, 51, 55, 63, and the Mega Ball was 4. Despite the anticipation, no one matched all six numbers in this drawing, so the jackpot will now grow to $60 million for the next scheduled drawing on Tuesday, March 24 at 11 p.m. ET. The Mega Millions game is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it one of the most widely played lotteries in the United States. Tickets cost $5 each, and players can choose their own numbers or opt for a “Quick Pick” where the numbers are randomly generated by computer.
Powerball Jackpot Climbs After No Grand Prize Winner
The Powerball lottery also saw significant activity this week, with the jackpot reaching $120 million for the Saturday, March 21, 2026 drawing. The winning numbers for that night were 12, 28, 36, 41, 59, with the Powerball number being 2 and a Power Play multiplier of 2x. Despite the large prize, no one matched all six numbers, so the jackpot will continue to grow. The lump sum cash option for the jackpot was $54.4 million, offering a substantial payout for any potential winner.
Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11 p.m. ET, including holidays. The odds of matching all six numbers and winning the grand prize are about 1 in 292.2 million, making it a rare but life-changing event for those who do win. In the previous drawing on Wednesday, March 18, the winning numbers were 14, 18, 19, 21, 69, with the Powerball number 1 and a Power Play of 3x. Although there was no grand prize winner, a ticket purchased in New York matched five numbers and won a $1 million prize, showing that even secondary prizes can be significant.
Recent Lottery Winners and Notable Jackpots
The recent wins in both Mega Millions and Powerball have brought attention to the stories of past winners and the history of large jackpots. The Powerball jackpot was last reset to $20 million on March 4 after a player in Arkansas won $249 million on March 2. The largest Powerball jackpot ever recorded was a staggering $2.04 billion in November 2022, and there have been fourteen jackpots reaching or surpassing $1 billion as of March 21, 2026. These record-breaking prizes continue to draw in hopeful players, each dreaming of joining the ranks of lottery millionaires.
In Florida, recent secondary wins have been reported for both Powerball and Mega Millions this month. Many winning tickets have been sold at popular retailers like Publix grocery stores, which are known for their frequent lottery winners. Players can also purchase tickets at most gas stations and some grocery stores, with the Florida Lottery website offering a “Where to Play” search tool to help locate nearby retailers.
National Lottery Results in the United Kingdom
Across the Atlantic, the National Lottery in the United Kingdom held its Lotto and Thunderball draws on March 21, 2026. The winning numbers for the Lotto draw were 05, 10, 18, 28, 34, 53, with the Bonus Ball being 46. For the Thunderball draw, the winning numbers were 07, 11, 16, 26, 38, with the Thunderball number being 03. The jackpot for the Lotto draw was £10.3 million, offering players the chance to win life-changing money.
The National Lottery has a rich history, with its first draw taking place on November 19, 1994. Since then, it has created many notable winners, including Gareth Bull, who won £41 million in November 2020, and Sue Davies, who won £500,000 after buying a ticket following the end of pandemic shielding. The largest single-ticket win was £42 million in 1996, and the biggest jackpot ever offered was £66 million in January 2025, which was split between two ticket holders. The odds of winning the UK Lotto are about one in fourteen million, but as many winners have shown, it only takes one ticket to change a life.
How to Play and Where to Buy Lottery Tickets
For those interested in joining the ranks of lottery winners, purchasing a ticket is the first step. In the United States, Mega Millions and Powerball tickets can be bought at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and online in some states. Players can select their own numbers or use the “Quick Pick” option for randomly generated numbers. Tickets for Mega Millions cost $5, while Powerball tickets are $2 each. Both games now offer built-in multipliers that can increase non-jackpot prizes by two to ten times without an extra fee, making it possible to win larger amounts even without hitting the jackpot.
In the United Kingdom, National Lottery tickets are available at most newsagents, supermarkets, and online. Players can choose their own numbers or opt for a “Lucky Dip,” which is similar to the Quick Pick option in the U.S. The Thunderball game offers additional chances to win with smaller jackpots but better odds.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Drawings and Growing Jackpots
With no jackpot winners in the most recent Mega Millions and Powerball drawings, both jackpots are set to grow. The next Mega Millions drawing will take place on Tuesday, March 24, with a jackpot of $60 million up for grabs. The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Monday, March 23, and the jackpot will continue to climb if no one matches all six numbers. These growing jackpots are sure to attract even more players, each hoping to become the next headline-making winner.
As history has shown, lottery winners can come from anywhere, and every ticket sold is a chance at a new life. Whether it is a massive jackpot or a significant secondary prize, the excitement of the lottery continues to capture the imagination of millions. With recent winners in Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, and New York, and with jackpots on the rise, the dream of winning big remains alive for players across the globe.
