A single ticket purchased in Florida emerged as the winner of the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday night, claiming a staggering $800 million prize. This marks the largest lottery win of 2026 and ranks as the tenth largest in the game's history, as reported by local media.
The winning numbers for the July 28 drawing were 34, 48, 49, 59, and 70, with a Mega Ball of 12. The odds of hitting this specific combination were an astronomical one in 290,472,336.
As of Wednesday, lottery officials had yet to identify the lucky ticket holder.
Will the Winner's Identity Be Revealed?
In Florida, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous indefinitely, but state law does provide temporary privacy protection.
"For prizes over $250,000, the winner's identity remains confidential for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed," stated Telemundo 51.
After this period, the winner's name becomes public record, subject to any exceptions outlined in state law.
However, winners can add an extra layer of privacy by claiming their prize through a trust or a limited liability company.
"In Florida, winners can claim through a trust, so the name that usually becomes public is that of the trustee or their attorney," noted the same outlet.
This approach does not ensure complete and permanent anonymity but is the most common strategy among major winners in the state.
Florida's temporary anonymity law is set to remain in effect until October 2, 2027.
How Much Money Will the Winner Actually Receive?
The winner must decide between two payment methods within the first 60 days. The first option is the annuity payment: the $800 million is distributed as an initial payout plus 29 annual payments.
The second option is a lump sum cash payout, estimated at $344.2 million before taxes, a significantly lower amount than the advertised prize but immediately available.
Both options are subject to federal withholding taxes.
Choosing the lump sum means a mandatory federal withholding of 24%, which would reduce the amount to approximately $261.6 million, and with the maximum federal tax rate of 37%, the net total could drop to around $165.6 million after filing taxes.
Living in Florida provides a significant advantage.
"Only eight states do not impose state taxes on lottery winnings, offering the largest payout, and Florida is one of them," noted the media outlet.
A Historic Win for Florida
Tuesday's outcome ended a streak of 38 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, a series that had persisted since a $60 million prize in Ohio on March 17.
During this time, nearly 10.9 million tickets won smaller prizes totaling over $273 million.
With this win, Florida has secured or shared six Mega Millions jackpots since joining the popular lottery game in 2013.
The state also holds the all-time lottery record: the $1.602 billion jackpot won on August 8, 2023, with a ticket sold in Neptune Beach, claimed by Saltines Holdings, LLC.
The winner has 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize. Given the prize exceeds a million dollars, the claim must be made at the Florida Lottery headquarters.
Meanwhile, lottery enthusiasts have another chance this Friday, August 1, as the Mega Millions restarts with a jackpot of $50 million and a cash option of $21.5 million.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mega Millions Jackpot
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately one in 290,472,336.
Can lottery winners in Florida remain anonymous?
Winners in Florida cannot remain permanently anonymous, but the state law allows for temporary anonymity for 90 days.
What is the lump sum cash option for the $800 million jackpot?
The lump sum cash option for the $800 million jackpot is estimated at $344.2 million before taxes.