One Quick Pick sold at a Publix in Newman, Georgia, matched 1-8-11-12-57 (Mega Ball 7) to win a $980 million Mega Millions jackpot — the largest single prize in Georgia history. The winner can take the $980 million annuity over 30 years or a $452.2 million lump sum, both before taxes, and has 180 days to claim the prize. The selling store will receive a $50,000 bonus. Friday’s result ended a 40-draw jackpot drought and ranks as the eighth-largest Mega Millions prize; a separate Michigan ticket won $3 million the same night.
Mega Millions: $980M Jackpot Sold in Georgia — Largest Single Win in State History
One Quick Pick sold at a Publix in Newman, Georgia, matched 1-8-11-12-57 (Mega Ball 7) to win a $980 million Mega Millions jackpot — the largest single prize in Georgia history. The winner can take the $980 million annuity over 30 years or a $452.2 million lump sum, both before taxes, and has 180 days to claim the prize. The selling store will receive a $50,000 bonus. Friday’s result ended a 40-draw jackpot drought and ranks as the eighth-largest Mega Millions prize; a separate Michigan ticket won $3 million the same night.
10:39 PM, 11/15/2025Economy
Georgia Wins Big: $980 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
One lucky lottery player in Newman, Georgia, purchased a Quick Pick ticket at a Publix that matched all six numbers in Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing to claim the advertised $980 million jackpot — the largest single lottery prize ever paid in Georgia, the Georgia Lottery said in a press release.
Winning numbers and ticket details
The winning numbers were 1, 8, 11, 12, 57 with the Mega Ball 7. The ticket was a Quick Pick (computer-generated numbers) sold at a Publix store in Newman. The winner has 180 days to claim the prize and may remain anonymous under Georgia rules.
Payout options and taxes
The winner can choose the advertised annuity of $980 million paid over 30 years or a $452.2 million lump-sum cash option. Both amounts are before taxes, and actual take-home totals will be lower after federal and any applicable state taxes.
Retailer bonus and state impact
The Publix that sold the winning ticket will receive a retailer incentive bonus of $50,000. Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin congratulated the winner and noted that proceeds from Mega Millions sales support education programs such as HOPE and Pre-K.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the largest winner in our state’s history,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. “With every Mega Millions ticket sold in Georgia supporting HOPE and Pre-K, Georgia’s students and families are also big winners.”
Context and notable facts
This prize ends a streak of 40 consecutive Mega Millions drawings without a jackpot winner. It ranks as the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot on record and surpasses a previous $810 million Mega Millions prize sold in Texas. The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever paid was $1.602 billion in Florida in 2023.
Georgia’s prior single-ticket record was a 2024 Powerball prize sold in Buford for $478.2 million; that prize was split between two winners who each took the cash option of $230.6 million.
How Mega Millions works
A standard Mega Millions play costs $2. Players choose five white-ball numbers from 1–70 and one Mega Ball from 1–25; an optional Megaplier can be added for $1 to increase non-jackpot prizes. A Quick Pick lets the computer randomly generate numbers for the player.
Other big winners from Friday
On the same drawing, a ticket sold in Portage, Michigan, matched the five white balls (1, 8, 11, 12, 57) and, with a 3X Megaplier, won $3 million. That ticket was purchased at a local gas station, the Michigan Lottery reported.
Note: All amounts quoted are before taxes. The winner’s decision (annuity vs. lump sum) must be made when claiming the prize, and tax treatment will depend on federal and state law.