So, you probably heard the news by now, or maybe you're staring at that little slip of paper in your wallet wondering if your life just changed forever. The Mega Millions drawing Washington results from Friday, January 16, 2026, are officially in.
Nobody hit the big one.
I know, it’s a bummer if you were planning on buying a private island this weekend. But for the rest of us who didn't play yet, the silver lining is huge. Because no one matched all six numbers, the jackpot has officially jumped to an estimated $250 million for the next drawing on Tuesday, January 20.
What were the winning numbers?
If you haven't checked your ticket yet, take a breath. Here is the winning line-up from Friday night:
02 - 22 - 33 - 42 - 67 and the Mega Ball was 01.
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Honestly, seeing a "2" and a "22" in the same draw is enough to make any frequent player do a double-take. It feels like one of those patterns that shouldn't happen, but that's the thing about random draws—they don't care about what looks "normal."
The Washington State Breakdown
Even though the $230 million jackpot stayed out of reach, plenty of people in the Evergreen State walked away with something. Washington’s Lottery reported that over 4,600 local tickets won some kind of prize.
Most of these were the smaller "get your coffee money back" wins. We're talking $5 or $7.
But three lucky people in Washington matched four white balls and walked away with $500 each. It’s not a mansion, but it’s a pretty great start to the weekend. In Maryland and some other states, a couple of people matched the five white balls to win $1 million, but Washington didn't see a millionaire this time around.
How the Mega Millions Drawing Washington Actually Works
If you're new to this or just get confused by the different state rules, Washington handles Mega Millions a bit differently than some other places.
First off, tickets here are $5.
Wait, you might be thinking, "Aren't they $2 in other states?"
In most of the country, Mega Millions is $2 per play, and you add a "Megaplier" for an extra buck. However, Washington’s Lottery uses a "built-in" multiplier system. Every ticket you buy for the Mega Millions drawing Washington comes with a multiplier already included in that $5 price tag.
This means if you win a non-jackpot prize, it gets multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x automatically. You don't have to check an extra box or pay more at the counter. It's just part of the deal.
The Odds (Brace Yourself)
We have to be real here. The odds of hitting that $250 million jackpot are about 1 in 290 million.
To put that in perspective, you are significantly more likely to be struck by lightning or, weirdly enough, become a movie star. But people play for the "what if." The overall odds of winning any prize are much better—about 1 in 24.
Deadlines and Times
If you're planning to jump in for the Tuesday draw, you need to know the clock.
- Drawing Time: 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Ticket Cut-off: 7:45 p.m. Pacific Time.
If you walk into a 7-Eleven or a Safeway at 7:46 p.m., the machine literally won't let the clerk sell you a ticket for that night's draw. It's a hard stop. Sales resume at 7:46 p.m. for the next drawing, but you'll be out of luck for the immediate one.
What Happens if You Actually Win in Washington?
Let’s say the stars align. You check your phone, look at your ticket, and the numbers match.
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Panic? Probably.
But legally, there are some specific things you need to know about Washington state law. Unlike some states where you can stay totally anonymous (looking at you, Delaware), Washington is a public disclosure state.
According to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 315-38-180), the lottery is required to disclose the name and city of jackpot winners. They usually hold a press conference, too. If you’re a private person, this is kind of a nightmare, but it's the law. Some people try to get around this by claiming the prize through a legal entity or a trust, but even then, you have to provide the name of a natural person who is a principal of that entity.
The 180-Day Rule
Don't sit on that ticket for too long. In Washington, you have exactly 180 days from the drawing date to claim your prize.
If you win the jackpot, you have another decision to make within 60 days of claiming:
- The Annuity: One immediate payment, followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.
- The Cash Option: A one-time lump sum. For the upcoming $250 million draw, the cash value is estimated at roughly **$113.5 million**.
Most people take the cash, but the annuity is actually a pretty smart move if you're worried about blowing it all in the first three years.
Real Advice for the Next Drawing
If you’re heading out to grab a ticket for the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing Washington, keep these things in mind:
- Don't play the "Birthdays" strategy exclusively. Since birthdays only go up to 31, and the numbers go up to 70, you're ignoring more than half of the available numbers.
- Check the back of your ticket. It sounds stupid, but people lose out on millions because they don't sign the back. In Washington, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop a winning ticket on the sidewalk and haven't signed it, whoever picks it up can legally claim that money.
- Keep it fun. It's a $5 dream. Don't spend money you need for rent or groceries.
The next drawing is Tuesday night. The jackpot is a cool quarter-billion dollars. If you're playing in Washington, just make sure you get your numbers in before the 7:45 p.m. cut-off.
Next Steps for Players:
Verify your Friday tickets using the official "Check My Ticket" feature on the Washington's Lottery app or at a self-service terminal. If you're buying new tickets for Tuesday, consider a "Quick Pick" to ensure your number spread covers the full 1-70 range. Always sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase to protect your claim.