A Georgia lottery player has secured a life-changing fortune after winning the estimated $980 million Mega Millions jackpot in Friday night’s drawing — the largest lottery prize ever recorded in the state and one of the biggest in the game’s history. The win ends a prolonged jackpot drought and brings nationwide attention to a Publix supermarket in Newnan, where the winning ticket was purchased.

According to Mega Millions officials, the winning combination for the November 14 draw was 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, with the gold Mega Ball 7. The ticket matched all six numbers, breaking a streak of 40 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner — the longest dry spell since the game began in 2002.

The Georgia Lottery confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at the Publix location in Newnan, situated roughly 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. The retailer will receive a $50,000 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket, in accordance with state lottery rules.

“We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said in an official statement.

The newly minted multimillionaire, who has not yet been identified, now faces a major financial decision. Like all Mega Millions jackpot winners, the player can choose between the full $980 million annuity, paid over 30 annual installments, or an estimated $452.2 million lump-sum cash payout before taxes.

Friday’s win marks the first time since June that a ticket has matched all six numbers. The last jackpot was claimed in Virginia, where a player walked away with a $348 million prize. Since then, four jackpots have already been awarded in 2025 before the months-long streak of unsuccessful drawings pushed the prize to near-billion-dollar territory.

Georgia now counts 17 Mega Millions jackpot winners since joining the interstate lottery network, though the state had not recorded a winner in eight years before this latest prize. The previous largest jackpot claimed in Georgia was the $478 million Powerball prize won by an anonymous player in October 2024.

In addition to the jackpot hit, other tickets from Friday’s draw landed notable payouts. A Michigan player won $3 million after matching all five white balls and opting for the 3X Megaplier. Nationwide, dozens of players secured prizes ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on their match levels and chosen multipliers.

This week’s jackpot is also the most significant since Mega Millions introduced a major overhaul earlier this year. The April update raised the ticket price from $2 to $5, increased the starting jackpot to $50 million, and adjusted the odds, which now stand at 1 in 290 million to hit the top prize. The revamp was promoted as a way to deliver larger jackpots more frequently and enhance non-jackpot winnings.

With Georgia’s historic win, the Mega Millions jackpot now resets to $50 million for the next drawing scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, at 11 p.m. ET.

The Mega Millions record still belongs to the $1.6 billion prize won by a single ticket in Florida in August 2023. Other notable jackpots include $1.537 billion in South Carolina (2018), $1.348 billion in Maine (2023), $1.337 billion in Illinois (2022), and $1.050 billion in Michigan (2021).

As lottery officials await the Georgia winner’s claim, the state now finds itself home to the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever awarded — a milestone that has sparked renewed interest in one of America’s most popular lottery games.

FAQ

Did anyone win the Mega Millions jackpot on November 14?

Yes. One ticket sold in Newnan, Georgia, matched all six numbers to win the entire estimated $980 million jackpot.

Where was the winning ticket sold?

The jackpot-winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Newnan, about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta.

How much will the winner actually take home?

The winner can choose between a $980 million annuity over 30 years or a lump sum estimated at $452.2 million before taxes.

Were there other winners?

Yes. A Michigan player won $3 million, and dozens of players nationwide won between $20,000 and $100,000 based on match levels and multipliers.

What is the next Mega Millions jackpot amount?

The jackpot resets to $50 million for the Tuesday, November 18 drawing.