Mega Millions winning numbers for Jan. 9 drawing: $199M jackpot

The jackpot for the Mega Millions drawing continued to increase ahead of the draw on Friday, January 9; The prize pot was $199 million and the cash value was $90.5 million.

If someone gets lucky tonight and wins the jackpot, they will have two options: take home a one-time, lump-sum cash payment, or receive an immediate payment followed by annual checks, each 5% larger than the previous year.

Last year saw six different Mega Millions winners; The last one happened on December 2, in an incident with a player in New Jersey. He took home the $90 million jackpot.

With the Mega Millions jackpot just hours away, here’s what you need to know about Friday’s drawing.

What are the winning Mega Millions numbers for 9/1/2026?

USA TODAY will publish the winning numbers after the lottery drawing at 11 p.m. ET.

More: Powerball winning numbers for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Tuesday, January 13 at 11pm ET.

What is Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is a lottery played in 45 states. District of Columbia and US Virgin Islands.

Each ticket costs $5, and players can choose six numbers from two separate number pools – five different numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (gold Mega Ball) – or they can choose Easy Pick/Quick Pick.

You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in one draw. If there is more than one winner of the jackpot, the jackpot prize will be shared.

More: The winner of the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot may remain anonymous. Now.

Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots

• $1.602 billion in Florida on August 8, 2023

• $1.537 billion in South Carolina on October 23, 2018

• $1.348 billion in Maine on January 1, 2023

• $1.337 billion in July. 29, 2022 in Illinois

• $1.269 billion in California on December 27, 2024

• $1.128 billion in New Jersey on March 26, 2024

• $1.05 billion in Michigan on January 22, 2021

• $983 million in Georgia on November 14, 2025

• $810 million in Texas on September 10, 2024

• $656 million in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland on March 30, 2012

How to play Mega Millions?

To play Mega Millions, you need to purchase a ticket. You can do this at a variety of places, including your local grocery store, gas station, or even your grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be purchased online.

After purchasing your ticket, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The Golden Mega Ball varies from 1 to 24.

If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of choosing, “Quick Selection” or a “Easy Choice.” These options allow the computer to generate random numbers for you.

Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the “Megaplier”.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Maybe Mega Millions tickets purchased personally at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Lottery tickets can also be sold at some airport terminals.

You can also order tickets online. Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Networkin the following US states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. It is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for all conditions.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. He is USA TODAY’s trending news reporter. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions’ winning numbers for the January 9 drawing: $199 million jackpot