The allure of Euromillions lies not just in the potential for life-changing jackpots, but also in the multiple prize tiers that offer a chance to win big, even without matching all the numbers. If you’ve ever wondered, “What are the prizes for Euromillions?” then this comprehensive guide is here to break down the exciting reward structure of this pan-European lottery.
The Coveted Euromillions Jackpot: Reaching for the Stars (and Millions)
The pinnacle of Euromillions excitement undoubtedly lies in its jackpot. This grand prize starts at a guaranteed minimum of €17 million (approximately £14 million) and keeps rolling over if no ticket matches the winning combination in a particular draw. The jackpot can climb to staggering heights, reaching a maximum capped limit of €250 million (approximately £210 million). Once the jackpot reaches the €250 million cap, it can only roll over for a maximum of five additional draws. If no winner emerges within those five draws, the jackpot amount gets distributed among the next winning tier with more than one winner. This ensures a guaranteed Euromillions millionaire is created, even if it’s not through the jackpot prize.
What are the prizes for EuroMillions?
Euromillions doesn’t limit your chances of winning to just the jackpot. There are a total of 13 prize tiers, offering various rewards for matching different combinations of main numbers and Lucky Star numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the prize tiers, with estimated winning odds for each:
- 5 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: This, of course, awards the coveted Euromillions jackpot (odds: 1 in 139,838,160)
- 5 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: A significant prize tier with a healthy payout (odds: 1 in 6,991,542)
- 5 Main Numbers: While you miss out on the jackpot, this tier still offers a substantial reward (odds: 1 in 1,594,590)
- 4 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: A delightful prize for matching four main numbers and both Lucky Stars (odds: 1 in 116,531)
- 4 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: Another exciting tier with a chance to win a notable amount (odds: 1 in 9,332)
- 3 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: Matching three main numbers and both Lucky Stars brings a rewarding prize (odds: 1 in 503,809)
- 3 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star: This tier offers a decent win for matching three main numbers and one Lucky Star (odds: 1 in 31,530)
- 3 Main Numbers: Even with just three main numbers, you can still claim a prize (odds: 1 in 8,145)
- 2 Main Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: A fun tier for matching two main numbers and both Lucky Stars (odds: 1 in 1,977,213)
- 2 Main Numbers + 1 Lucky Star (UK Millionaire Maker only): This special tier, exclusive to the UK Millionaire Maker raffle, guarantees a millionaire in every Euromillions draw, even if it’s not through the main game (odds: 1 in 2,330,638)
- 1 Main Number + 2 Lucky Stars: Matching just one main number and both Lucky Stars can still land you a prize (odds: 1 in 139,838)
- 2 Main Numbers: The lowest tier offers a small win for matching two main numbers (odds: 1 in 21)
- 1 Main Number + 1 Lucky Star: Even matching just one main number and one Lucky Star can bring a small reward (odds: 1 n 13)
Important Note: Prize Amounts Can Vary
It’s important to remember that the estimated prize amounts for each Euromillions tier can vary slightly from draw to draw. This depends on factors like the total number of tickets sold across participating countries and the number of winners in each prize tier. The actual prize money is distributed based on a pari-mutuel system, meaning a set percentage of the total ticket sales gets allocated to each prize tier. If there are more winners in a particular tier than expected, the prize amount for that tier might be slightly lower than the estimate.