Georgia Resident Wins Record-Breaking $980 Million Mega Millions Jackpot - Largest in State History

The fortunate winner matched the numbers 1, 8, 11, 12, 57 and Mega Ball 7 to claim the massive prize.

A Georgia resident became the state's biggest lottery winner ever after purchasing a Mega Millions ticket worth an astonishing $980 million on Friday. The winning ticket was purchased in Newnan, approximately 40 miles southwest of Atlanta.

The identity of the winner remains unknown, as they have yet to come forward to claim their prize. When they do, they'll face an important financial decision: receive the full $980 million distributed through 30 annual payments, or select a one-time cash payment of approximately $452.2 million.

The winning combination consisted of numbers 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, plus the white Mega Ball 7.

This historic win represents Georgia's 17th Mega Millions jackpot and ends an eight-year drought for major lottery winners in the state.

Prior to this, Georgia's last Mega Millions jackpot winner was ADirectConnection LLC, which claimed an $83 million prize in January 2017 from a drawing held on November 18, 2016.

This winner becomes the first Mega Millions player to match all six numbers since a Virginia resident anonymously claimed a $348 million prize on June 27.

The year 2025 has already witnessed several significant Mega Millions winners across America. The winning streak began in Arizona with a $113 million prize claimed on January 17, according to USA Today.

An Illinois ticket holder won $344 million on April 25, while an Ohio player claimed $112 million just a week earlier on April 18.

At $980 million, this jackpot surpasses the $810 million prize won at a Texas gas station in September 2024, making it the eighth-largest in Mega Millions' 29-year history.

Friday's drawing also produced a $3 million winner in Michigan, who matched all five white balls and utilized the 3X multiplier. The drawing ended the game's longest streak without a jackpot winner, following 39 consecutive drawings without a grand prize match.