A winning Mega Millions ticket is generally valid for 90 days to one year after the drawing date, depending on the state or jurisdiction where you bought it. Mega Millions does not have one nationwide expiration date. Each participating lottery sets its own claim period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long is a winning Mega Millions ticket valid? | Usually 90 days to one year |
| When does the deadline begin? | The drawing date |
| Where must you claim it? | In the state or jurisdiction that sold the ticket |
| What sets the exact deadline? | Local lottery rules |
Check the State Where You Bought the Ticket
You must claim a winning Mega Millions ticket in the state or jurisdiction that sold it. A ticket bought in Texas, for example, cannot normally be claimed through the Illinois or California Lottery.
Claim periods vary by state:
- Texas: Mega Millions winning tickets are valid for 180 days from the drawing date.
- Illinois: Mega Millions prizes must be claimed within one year from the drawing date.
- California: Most draw-game tickets must be claimed within 180 days, but Mega Millions jackpot tickets have a one-year claim period.
What Should You Do If You Have a Winning Ticket?
Act before the claim deadline listed by the lottery that sold the ticket.
- Check the numbers against the official Mega Millions results.
- Sign the back of the ticket to help protect it if it is lost or stolen.
- Take a photo or make a copy of both sides before submitting the claim.
- Check the purchasing state's lottery website for the deadline and claim instructions.
- Submit the claim before the deadline.
Mega Millions advises players to contact the lottery in the state where they bought the ticket because claim periods and procedures vary locally.
Bottom Line
Do not assume that every Mega Millions ticket has a one-year claim period. Check the rules for the state that sold your ticket and claim it as soon as possible.