Playing Mega Millions in Virginia? Drawings are Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET; tickets are $5 with the 2×–10× multiplier built in; and you can buy at any Virginia retailer or online through the official valottery.com. This guide covers the Virginia-specific details (buying, claiming, taxes, anonymity) from an independent results site, plus the fastest way to check tonight's numbers.
Where can you buy Mega Millions tickets in Virginia?
Any licensed Virginia retailer sells Mega Millions, and Virginia's iLottery sells it online through a valottery.com account (18+, physically in Virginia). Since the game's April 2025 overhaul, every $5 play carries a randomly assigned 2×–10× multiplier that applies to all non-jackpot prizes. You can't buy a separate Megaplier anymore, and the smallest prize is $10. Whether the pricier ticket is a better deal is the subject of our one-year review of the overhaul and Powerball vs Mega Millions.
How does Mega Millions work?
Mega Millions is one national draw: pick 5 numbers from 1–70 plus a Mega Ball from 1–24. The jackpot odds are 1 in 290,472,336 (official Mega Millions rules), and the jackpot resets to $50 million after someone wins it. Full rules and the prize chart are in how to play Mega Millions and ways to win.
How do you check Virginia Mega Millions numbers?
Tuesday and Friday night's numbers go up on our Mega Millions results page minutes after the 11:00 PM ET draw, with the jackpot, cash value and prize tiers. Every Virginia draw game is on the Virginia results page. The numbers are the same in every state. Check a winning ticket against the official Virginia Lottery site before you act on it. All the places results get posted are in this guide.
What happens if you win Mega Millions in Virginia?
- Claim window: draw-game tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Virginia retailers can cash prizes up to $600. Larger prizes go to a Virginia Lottery customer service center, and prizes up to $5,000 can also be claimed in the Virginia Lottery app (Virginia Lottery claim rules; step-by-step).
- Taxes: on prizes over $5,000 the Lottery withholds 24% federal and 4% Virginia tax. The jackpot-size math is in the take-home breakdown.
- Anonymity: since July 1, 2026, Code of Virginia § 58.1-4029 bars the Lottery from naming any individual winner without written consent. That covers every prize, so the old $1 million threshold no longer applies (details).
- Payout choice: a 30-year annuity or a lump-sum cash payment. See lump sum vs annuity. Virginia Lottery profits fund K-12 education.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Mega Millions drawing in Virginia?
Mega Millions is drawn Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. It is one national drawing shared by every participating state, Virginia included. Sales close shortly before the draw.
How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost in Virginia?
$5 per play. Since the April 2025 overhaul, every ticket comes with a randomly assigned 2×–10× multiplier. It applies automatically to all non-jackpot prizes, and the smallest prize is $10.
Can I play Mega Millions online in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia's official iLottery at valottery.com sells Mega Millions online to players who are 18 or older and physically in Virginia. You can also use a playslip at any licensed Virginia retailer.
What taxes does Virginia take from Mega Millions winnings?
On prizes over $5,000, the Lottery withholds 24% federal and 4% Virginia state tax before paying you. A large jackpot can owe up to 37% federal when you file. You have 180 days from the draw to claim. Since July 1, 2026, Virginia keeps every winner's identity private unless the winner agrees in writing to be named.
Facts and figures verified September 2026 against the Virginia Lottery, Mega Millions and the Code of Virginia. Play responsibly — 1-800-MY-RESET.
