The next EuroMillions draw on Friday, November 28, 2025across nine European countries will offer a staggering €178 million jackpot — the largest prize pool in months and the latest milestone in a rolling jackpot surge that has captivated millions. Just three days earlier, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, a single ticket holder in the UK walked away with £142,321,587 after matching the numbers 06, 11, 17, 35, 44 with Lucky Stars 03 and 07. The win, drawn using machine number 13 and ball set 21, also triggered the UK Millionaire Maker code J W G H 0 3 5 3 0, awarding one lucky player £1 million. Now, with the jackpot reset and growing again, the countdown is on — and so are the ticket sales.
How the Jackpot Rolled From £142 Million to €178 Million
The jump from £142 million to €178 million isn’t just a numbers game — it’s a currency conversion and rollover system working in perfect, chaotic sync. After the Tuesday win, the prize pool didn’t vanish. Instead, it rolled forward, and with each passing day, the base prize grew by €5 million, as per EuroMillions’ rules when the jackpot isn’t won. By Friday, the amount had climbed to €178 million — roughly £150 million at current exchange rates — making it the third-largest jackpot in the game’s history. This follows a pattern seen earlier in 2025: on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the jackpot hit the maximum cap of €250 million, the highest possible under EuroMillions’ rules. That draw drew over 100 million ticket combinations across Europe. The current surge mirrors that frenzy.Who’s Playing — And Why It Matters
The National Lottery UK, headquartered in London, manages sales for the UK portion of the game, while the overall operation is coordinated by Française des Jeux in France and Loterías y Apuestas del Estado in Spain. These three operators handle roughly 70% of total sales. But it’s not just the big players. Millions of ordinary people — from schoolteachers in Lisbon to factory workers in Brussels — buy tickets every week, often in syndicates. One London office group bought 27 tickets last Friday. "We don’t expect to win," said one participant, "but for a pound a week, you get to dream like you’re already rich." The prize structure reveals just how many people walk away with something. In the most recent draw, over 1.2 million tickets won smaller prizes — from €4 for matching two numbers to nearly €75,000 for matching five main numbers without the Lucky Stars. That’s the secret sauce: the game isn’t just about the jackpot. It’s about the constant trickle of wins that keep people hooked.The Numbers Behind the Dream
Let’s break down what’s really happening behind the scenes:- Winning numbers from November 25: 06, 11, 17, 35, 44 + Lucky Stars 03, 07
- Previous Friday’s draw (Nov 21): Jackpot of £131,464,184 with numbers 17, 19, 29, 35, 48 + Lucky Stars 05, 09
- October’s biggest prize: €29.9 million on October 3, 2025
- Prize distribution (most recent draw): 13 winners of €74,451.39 (5+0), 73 winners of €782.33 (4+2), 1.24 million winners of €4–€9 for matching 2 numbers
- Draw frequency: Every Tuesday and Friday, 20:45 CET
- Maximum cap: €250 million — reached eight times since 2016
What’s striking isn’t just the size of the top prize, but how consistently the game delivers smaller wins. Those €4–€9 payouts happen in the tens of thousands every draw. It’s not a lottery — it’s a social contract. You pay a pound, you get a moment of hope, and the system keeps running.
What Happens If Nobody Wins Again?
If the €178 million goes unclaimed on Friday, the jackpot will roll over once more — but not indefinitely. EuroMillions has a "jackpot cap" rule: after five rollovers at the maximum, the prize must be distributed to the next prize tier with winners. That means if Friday’s draw produces no jackpot winner, the prize will cascade down to the 5+0 tier — the 13 people who matched five main numbers without the Lucky Stars last time. Each of them could walk away with over €200 million — more than double what they’d normally get.That’s why analysts are watching closely. "This is the most likely scenario for a jackpot cascade," said Dr. Elena Varga, a gambling behavior researcher at the University of Edinburgh. "When the jackpot gets this high, people stop buying just one ticket. They buy five. Or ten. And that drives the prize pool even higher — until the cap triggers a redistribution. It’s a psychological feedback loop."
History in the Making
The EuroMillions game began on February 13, 2004, with a modest €15 million jackpot. Back then, only five countries participated. Now, it’s nine — including the UK, despite Brexit. The game’s resilience is remarkable. Even during the pandemic, sales held steady. People still dreamed. And when the pandemic hit, the UK’s National Lottery reported a 22% spike in ticket sales. People didn’t just want to win — they wanted to feel like something big could still happen.Friday’s draw isn’t just another lottery. It’s the culmination of months of anticipation, a cultural moment stitched together by millions of small bets. Whether you play or not, it’s hard not to feel something when a single ticket — bought on a lunch break, in a corner shop, with a child’s hand holding yours — could change a life forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the EuroMillions jackpot grow between draws?
If no one matches all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars, the jackpot rolls over and increases by €5 million for each subsequent draw until it hits the €250 million cap. After five rollovers at the cap, the prize cascades to the next prize tier with winners — often turning secondary winners into multimillionaires overnight.
Who is eligible to play EuroMillions?
Players must be at least 18 years old and reside in one of the nine participating countries: the UK, France, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland. Tickets can be purchased online or in authorized retailers within these countries. Non-residents can play through licensed third-party services, but prize claims must be processed through the country where the ticket was issued.
What happens if I lose my ticket?
Physical tickets are not replaceable — so keep them safe. However, if you buy online through the National Lottery UK or other official portals, your ticket is stored digitally and automatically checked for wins. You’ll be notified by email if you’ve won, even if you forget to check.
Are EuroMillions winnings taxed in the UK?
No. In the UK, lottery winnings are tax-free, regardless of size. This includes both the jackpot and the Millionaire Maker prizes. However, any interest earned from investing winnings may be subject to income tax. Players in other countries, like Spain or France, may face different tax rules — so winners are advised to consult financial advisors before claiming large prizes.
Why does the jackpot reset after being won?
The jackpot resets to €17 million after being won to ensure consistent prize growth and maintain public interest. This base amount allows the jackpot to climb steadily over several draws, creating anticipation. Without a reset, the game would lose its momentum — and ticket sales would drop. The structure is designed to balance fairness with excitement.
How does the UK Millionaire Maker work?
Every EuroMillions ticket purchased in the UK automatically enters you into the Millionaire Maker draw, which generates a unique alphanumeric code (e.g., J W G H 0 3 5 3 0). If your code matches the one drawn, you win £1 million — regardless of whether you matched the main numbers. It’s an extra chance to win, with one guaranteed £1 million prize per draw, funded separately from the main jackpot.
