The most recent big Mega Millions winner was a lucky lottery ticketholder in Arizona who struck gold on Jan. 18, winning a $113 million jackpot. According to the lottery, only four tickets matched all six Mega Millions numbers in 2024 – the fewest jackpots won in a calendar year since the game began in 2002.

"We are thrilled that an Arizona Lottery player won the first Mega Millions jackpot of the year," said Alec Thomson, executive director of the Arizona Lottery, in a written statement.

The Mega Millions lottery jackpot was an estimated $28 million with a cash option of $12.4 million for Friday night's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website. The jackpot was last won on Jan. 17 when a lottery player in Arizona lottery player won a $112 million jackpot.