Mega Millions $1.1B lottery prize - the third-largest jackpot in the game's history - drawn TONIGHT

The third largest jackpot in Mega Millions history will be drawn tonight as the winner could take home the $1.1billion prize. 

Plenty of Americans are rushing to their nearest lotto station to pick up a Mega Millions ticket ahead of tonight's 11pm drawing as the winner could walk away with $568.7million cash after taxes. 

The previous recording-setting prizes were won in South Carolina in 2018 at $1.537billion and in Illinois in July at $1.337billion.  

It's the sixth biggest US lottery jackpot in history after regulators changed the number of lottery balls and increased the odds of winning from 258million to 300million. 

It's only the fourth time in four years the jackpot has hit more than $1billion, Mega Millions revealed. 

Plenty of Americans are rushing to their nearest lotto station to pick up a Mega Millions ticket ahead of tonight's 11pm drawing as the winner could walk away with $1.1billion - or $568.7million cash after taxes 

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached the third biggest in the games history and the sixth largest jackpot in US lottery history

'Mega Millions has just reached the $1billion mark again. It’s especially nice to see the jackpot grow throughout the holidays and into the new year,' Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald said, according to a Mega Millions press release. 

'As the jackpot grows, we encourage our players to keep within their entertainment budget and enjoy this jackpot run right along with us.' 

Many took to Twitter to share their excitement, with Porscha writing: 'Yea ima get bout 10 of them Mega Millions tickets.' 

Brooke wrote: 'Literally. Lol. If I win Mega Millions, I’m taking tomorrow off.' 

Dante Bellini had other ideas on how he would celebrate: 'If I win the Mega Millions tonight, I’m going to splurge and put the heat up to a balmy 65 in my house.' 

The Bristol County Sheriff's Office in Massachusetts joined in on the fun and wished their residents luck, writing: 'Good morning Bristol County. Good luck to everyone with a Mega Millions ticket tonight. Have a nice day everybody.' 

One fan, Chuck Satterlee, took that to heart and was hopeful this morning, writing: 'Happy TODAY-IS-THE-DAY-I-FINALLY-WIN-THE-FRAKKING-MEGA-MILLIONS Day, everyone.' 

 

Many fans took to Twitter to reveal their excitement and to reminds others to rush out and buy their own ticket

'That pot of gold is tonight’s Mega Millions drawing and yes, I would do the same!' Steven Eilers wrote alongside a photo of a child's homework assignment. The assignment asked what the student would do if they found a pot of gold and the little girl named Molly said she would 's**t.' 

Since the last jackpot was won in October, 52 players have taken home $1million or more, Mega Millions revealed in a press release. Those tickets were won across 20 states, including California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Texas. 

In total, there have been more than 27.1million winning tickets sold in the 24 drawings since the jackpot on October 14. 

Mega Millions is played across 47 states, including Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands.