Number of advance drawings to be temporarily reduced through April 4
A new version of Mega Millions is on the way, and in preparation for the changes, the number of advance drawings available for purchase will be temporarily reduced after the drawing on Friday, Feb. 14.
Typically, Mega Millions players are able to purchase tickets that are valid for up to 15 drawing dates. Starting after the Feb. 14 drawing, the number of advance drawing dates available will be reduced by one after each drawing through Friday, April 4. The step-down of advance draw sales is necessary because lotteries across the country are not able to sell Mega Millions tickets for future drawing dates that overlap into the new format.
The first drawing with the new format will be Tuesday, April 8, and beginning April 5, Maryland Lottery players will once again be able to purchase up to 15 drawings of Mega Millions. At that time, the range of numbers for the Mega Ball will be reduced by one. Currently, players choose five numbers from a range of 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Under the new Mega Millions format, the range for the Mega Ball will be 1 to 24, while the range for the first five numbers will remain 1 to 70.
Also beginning April 5, the price of Mega Millions tickets will increase from $2 to $5; the starting amount after a jackpot is won will move from $20 million to $50 million; and the prize amounts at all eight prize tiers below the jackpot will increase. The minimum prize on a winning ticket will jump from $2 to $10. More details on these changes will be available soon.
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held at 11 p.m. each Tuesday and Friday. The cutoff time to purchase Mega Millions tickets on Tuesdays and Fridays is 10:45 p.m.
Here is a schedule of the advance drawing ticket sales step-down for Mega Millions:
| Dates | Number of Drawing Dates Available to Purchase |
|---|---|
| Feb. 15 through Feb. 18 | 14 |
| Feb. 19 through Feb. 21 | 13 |
| Feb. 22 through Feb. 25 | 12 |
| Feb. 26 through Feb. 28 | 11 |
| March 1 through March 4 | 10 |
| March 5 through March 7 | 9 |
| March 8 through March 11 | 8 |
| March 12 through March 14 | 7 |
| March 15 through March 18 | 6 |
| March 19 through March 21 | 5 |
| March 22 through March 25 | 4 |
| March 26 through March 28 | 3 |
| March 29 through April 1 | 2 |
| April 2 through April 4 | 1 |
| Beginning April 5 and thereafter | 15 |
