A historic 40-drawing streak without a top-prize winner came to an end Friday night after a single ticket sold in Georgia claimed an estimated $980 million Mega Millions jackpot, securing the eighth-largest prize in the game’s history.

The winning ticket, which successfully matched all six numbers drawn, was purchased at a Publix supermarket in Newnan, a city located approximately 40 miles southwest of Atlanta.

The winning numbers drawn were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, and the Mega Ball 7.

The monumental win marks the first time since June that the Mega Millions jackpot has been claimed. In that previous drawing, a Virginia ticket won $348 million.

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

The supermarket where the winning ticket was sold will also benefit, receiving a $50,000 retailer bonus from the Georgia Lottery.

Cash Value and Payout Options

The lucky winner now faces a life-altering financial decision. They can choose to receive the full estimated $980 million prize in annual payments over 30 years, or opt for a one-time, lump-sum cash payout. The cash option, before taxes are deducted, is valued at $452.2 million.

It is standard for winners to come forward weeks or even months after a drawing to finalize their claim and select their preferred payout structure.

Context of the Game’s Overhaul

The massive payout comes after an overhaul of the Mega Millions game implemented last April, which hiked the ticket price to $5 and increased the starting jackpot to $50 million.

Under the current rules, the odds of winning the top jackpot are steep, standing at 1 in 290 million, according to the lottery.

This prize is the largest Mega Millions jackpot since those changes were enacted.

While the Georgia ticket claimed the grand prize, other players across the country secured significant winnings. A ticket sold in Michigan matched all five white balls and included the 3X multiplier, netting the player a $3 million prize. Additionally, 22 other tickets nationwide matched four white balls and the Mega Ball, earning $20,000 each.

Despite the near-billion-dollar payout, the Mega Millions’ all-time record jackpot remains $1.6 billion, won by a single ticket sold in Florida in August 2023.