Mega Millions is changing: 7 things to know before April's price change, game overhaul

(NEXSTAR) — Frequently play the Mega Millions? The national lottery jackpot game is about to be overhauled with the promise of bigger prizes, better odds and faster-growing jackpots — if you don't mind paying a higher ticket price.

Mega Millions officials confirmed the pending changes in October, saying they would take effect in April. Now, we know what those changes entail.

“Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a press release shared with Nexstar on Tuesday.

Here's what will soon be changing, and what happens to the current Mega Millions jackpot that is building.

When do the new changes start?

The final drawing of the game's current iteration will be on Friday, April 4, which means the first drawing of the new prize structure will be on Tuesday, April 8, at 11 p.m. ET.

If you win any non-jackpot Mega Millions prize in the April 4 drawing, you'll receive the current payout prize, not the new payouts taking effect on April 8. More on those prizes, and the current jackpot, in a moment.

How are the odds improving?

Currently, your odds of winning any of the nine Mega Millions payouts are 1 in 24. Under the new game structure, your odds will improve slightly to 1 in 23. This is due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball — there are 25 gold balls right now, but 24 under the new game structure.

Your odds of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are also improving. Today, your odds are roughly 1 in 302.58 million. With the changes, your odds become 1 in 290,472,336. This is again due to having one less Mega Ball, game officials said.

What about the Megaplier and Just the Jackpot?

Some states offered players the Just the Jackpot option. For $3, a player would receive two plays for only the jackpot, not all nine available prizes. This option is being retired.

Also retiring is the Megaplier, a feature available in some states for an additional $1 that could increase your non-jackpot payout. It is becoming a built-in random multiplier.

"Every non-jackpot win will multiply its base prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X automatically," game officials said Tuesday. This also expands the range of payouts. Instead of $2 to $1 million, the current non-jackpot prize range, the Mega Millions will have payouts between $10 to $10 million.

You can see the new prizes below compared to the current payouts:

The new Mega Millions prize matrix that will take effect starting on April 8, 2025. (Mega Millions)

With the changes, Mega Millions players will be able to "win more than the cost to play" — but we'll get to that.

How are Mega Millions jackpots changing?

Officials have said the overhaul of Mega Millions will lead to faster-growing pots that become larger more frequently.

Mega Millions jackpots will start at $50 million, well up from the current starting point of $20 million. This, combined with rising ticket prices, is expected to lead to even more enticing jackpots for players.

How much will it cost to play?

Right now, one line of Mega Millions numbers will set you back $2, plus an additional $1 if you opt for the Megaplier.

When the new game changes arrive in April, the same line will cost you $5. But, as game officials note, the new minimum non-jackpot prize is $10, five times that of the current minimum prize of $2.

"This is only the game’s second price adjustment since the first ticket was sold more than 20 years ago and the first change since the current game matrix was adopted in 2017," Mega Millions officials said Tuesday.

What about the current jackpot?

As of Tuesday, the Mega Millions jackpot sits at an estimated $344 million with a cash option of $161.5 million. If the jackpot is not won during the April 4 drawing, it will be rolled into the new game, officials say.

What else should you know?

Mega Millions will still be available in the current 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings will still be held at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the profits each local lottery receives will still benefit the causes they have always benefitted, unless local jurisdictions make changes.

The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET.

1d 11:11 AM ET ago

Topics

Chris Mason: Uncertainty over benefits changes could go on for some time

It could be some time before people know how they may be affected by the government's benefits overhaul.
BBC News - Mar. 18
How can USMNT recover? What U.S. Soccer need to change before Canada match in Nations League third-place match

From creativity in attack to freer fullbacks, how can Mauricio Pochettino change things to stop America's slide?
CBS Sports - 4d
'Let's think OTAs': LSU football announces changes to annual National L Club Spring Game

LSU football is changing the format of the annual National L Club Spring Game. Here's what you need to know.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
How Will Tariffs Change Clothing Prices?

Our critic explains the difference between the cost to manufacture a piece of clothing and the price you end up paying for it, and how tariffs might affect these markups.
The New York Times - 2d
Rules for Portable Batteries on Planes Are Changing. Here’s What to Know.

Some airlines in Asia are tightening restrictions. You may have to repack or turn off your batteries before boarding flights with certain carriers.
The New York Times - Mar. 13
The centuries that changed cricket (and a few that changed the world)

Wisden Cricket Monthly have selected the 100 hundreds that changed the game. Here’s a taster of the list. 107 Duke of Dorset’s XI v Wrotham The Vine, Sevenoaks August 1769 Continue ...
The Guardian - Mar. 13
The state and local tax deduction could change amid Trump's tax cuts debate. Here's what to know

The state and local tax deduction could change in 2025 as lawmakers debate Trump's tax cuts. Here's what to know.
CNBC - Mar. 12
Southwest Airlines Just Made a Bunch More Changes, and This Time They’re Actually Smart

There’s only one thing worse than changing your business model: changing it halfway.
Inc. - 2d
Max Homa talks unexpected Tiger Woods relationship, swing changes, state of his game before 2025 major season

Homa caught up with CBS Sports for a wide-ranging conversation about his game
CBS Sports - 2d
Bellingham: Madrid 'change mentality' in big games

Jude Bellingham said his Real Madrid team has the ability to change their mentality for big games, as they edged past city rivals Atlético Madrid on penalties to reach the Champions League ...
ESPN - Mar. 13
Chelsea told to sign player who would “change things” for them “without a shout of doubt”

Chelsea have been told to sign one player this summer who would change things for them ‘without a shout of doubt’The Blues are expected to be busy now this summer, and we have had plenty of update...
Yahoo Sports - 13h
‘Ghost kitchens’, fast casual and higher prices: how the pandemic changed the US restaurant industry

Americans eat takeout more. Some drink less. Bar-and-grill chains have shuttered. But the restaurant industry has evolved and rebounded. Before Covid, Li’l Dizzy’s, a Creole buffet run by one of ...
The Guardian - Mar. 19
Seven teams propose allowing teams to prepare K-Balls before game day

The NFL released the list of team-proposed changes to playing rules and bylaws on Wednesday and they include a proposal made by several clubs to change procedures used for footballs used in the ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 19
This inherited IRA rule change for 2025 could trigger a 25% tax penalty

There's an inherited IRA rule change for 2025 that could trigger a 25% tax penalty for certain heirs. Here's what investors need to know.
CNBC - 2d
Could impending rev-share changes help Cinderellas in the future? 'Everybody will be in the game'

As the college sports industry sits on the brink of historic change, an unexpected spending disparity looms — and some mid-majors will be able to take advantage of it in basketball.
Yahoo Sports - 6h
Dybala to remain out 5-6 months in total

Paulo Dybala won’t be seeing the pitch again anytime soon.Initially it was thought that the Argentine could return at the end of April, but after the announcement of surgery things have changed ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Palworld Transmog - How To Change Your Armor Style

The latest Palworld update added several new features to the game, including the ability to change your armor appearance without affecting the armor's stats. This new feature is tied to a ...
GameSpot - 6d
The "insider" game has changed, dramatically

The NFL, unlike any other American sport, has spawned a class of national "insiders."
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
U.S. 10-year Treasury yield is little changed as investors digest latest inflation report

U.S. Treasury yields were little changed on Thursday as investors awaited the producer price index report and weighed the state of the U.S. economy.
CNBC - Mar. 13
InZoi Price, Free Update Plans, And Roadmap Revealed Just Before Launch

The life-sim game InZoi is coming this month, and the game's developer has finally confirmed additional key details, including the price of the game at launch.. Game director Hyungjun "Kjun" Kim ...
GameSpot - Mar. 19
BioShock 4 – Everything We Know

2K's BioShock series has seen three installments so far, and a fourth game is now in the works–with some key changes compared to the original three. For starters, series creator Ken Levine is not ...
GameSpot - Mar. 17
United Airlines Raises Price of Club Lounge Memberships

As airport lounges see increasing demand, United Airlines is changing how travelers can access its lounges, raising prices and cutting the amenities.
The New York Times - 2d
Lebanon, Ravaged by Israel-Hezbollah War, Needs Changes to Unlock Aid

For years, the country has failed to enact financial and governance overhauls required by lenders. The recent fighting has made that problem urgent.
The New York Times - 2d
Proposed "tush push" rule, as written, won't change much

It's one thing to say, "The tush push must go!"
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Why officials took points away from Alabama basketball to change halftime score vs Kentucky

Alabama basketball faithful watching from home might be curious why the scoreboard changed for the Crimson Tide before halftime against Kentucky.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
21 House Republicans ask leadership to limit changes to energy tax credits in reconciliation

A group of 21 House Republicans is asking a key committee to limit changes to energy tax credits passed under Democrats as the GOP seeks to overhaul the U.S. tax code. In a new letter dated ...
The Hill - Mar. 10
If baseball wants its pitchers focused on durability, the rules of the game might have to change

Bold decisions to change Major League Baseball’s longstanding rules quickened the pace of games and revived the popularity of stealing bases over the last few years. A similarly creative move may ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Marvel Almost Had Its Own Shared Universe Of Video Games, Bungie Co-Founder Says

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe changed the face of the movie industry with its series of interconnected films, a video game version of this concept was once pitched to Disney, according to ...
GameSpot - Mar. 19
Giuntoli begins one-on-one Juventus meetings as Motta ponders formation change

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli has reportedly begun one-on-one meetings with Bianconeri players, while Thiago Motta is considering changing the system for the next game against Genoa.Juventus ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 19
'The Bachelor' faces overhaul to bloom again after upheaval and withering viewership

As Season 29 of the ABC dating reality series comes to a close, the franchise's uncertain future after leadership changes and a series of missteps on race and vetting of contestants.
Los Angeles Times - 1d
Dollar Tree says it's winning over higher-income shoppers and may offset tariffs with price hikes

Dollar Tree said it could use negotiations, manufacturing changes and price increases to mitigate the effects of Trump's tariffs.
CNBC - 4h
6 in 10 say Musk lacks experience, judgment to change government: Survey

Elon Musk, a key political ally of President Trump, is viewed negatively by most Americans and they question his qualifications to overhaul the federal government, according to a new poll.
The Hill - Mar. 12
How to Make Changes That Actually Stick

Around 70 percent of all change efforts fail, because most organizations make changes without mapping impact.
Inc. - Mar. 19
FAQ: What big changes are coming this year?

Who's fighting in the PFL -- and who's not -- in 2025? Here's everything you need to know about the new format.
ESPN - Mar. 13
Legal Experts Question Trump’s Authority to Cancel Columbia’s Funding

The government has demanded drastic changes to the university before it will consider reinstating $400 million. Lee C. Bollinger, the school’s former president, calls it an “existential threat.”
The New York Times - Mar. 17
Bold new rules have reshaped baseball. Could more changes save starting pitching?

Bold decisions to change Major League Baseball’s longstanding rules quickened the pace of games and revived the popularity of stealing bases over the last few years
ABC News - 2d
Do you have to pay taxes by April 15 if you file an extension?

Filing an extension doesn't necessarily change the date your tax payment is due. Here's why.
CBS News - Mar. 17
EU delays implementing first retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods to middle of April

"The change represents a slight adjustment to the timeline and does not diminish the impact of our response," an EU spokesperson told CNBC.
CNBC - 6d
JFK files declassified: Does it change what we already know?

Over the last six decades after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, speculation and conspiracy theories have left people wondering if there was more to what happened. After President Donald ...
NBC News - 3d