A single ticket bought in France has hit the largest EuroMillions jackpot in history, worth a staggering €250 million (around £210 million). The winning combination was announced on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, in a draw that will be remembered for years to come. The French National Lottery confirmed the incredible result, which immediately became headline news across Europe.
This monumental prize was the result of several consecutive rollovers, with the jackpot climbing steadily until it finally hit its maximum cap of €250 million. Once the cap is reached under EuroMillions rules, the jackpot remains at that level for up to five draws until it is claimed or distributed among lower-tier winners.
Winning Numbers That Made History
The winning numbers drawn were:
- Main numbers: 24, 31, 34, 41, 43
- Lucky Stars: 06 and 08
These seven digits have instantly transformed the life of whoever holds the winning ticket. According to the EuroMillions official website, the winning ticket was confirmed less than an hour after the draw, though the winner has yet to come forward to claim their life-changing fortune.
Lottery officials revealed only that the lucky ticket was sold somewhere in France. In keeping with privacy regulations, the exact location or identity will not be shared until the winner decides to claim the prize and go public—or remain anonymous.
A Historic Jackpot in Context
This win stands out not just because of its amount but also because of the circumstances around it:
- Record-breaking amount: At €250 million, this is the largest possible EuroMillions jackpot under current rules. It matches earlier capped wins this year in Austria (March 2025) and Ireland (June 2025), making 2025 a historic year with three jackpot caps reached within eight months.
- First in France at cap: While France has produced many EuroMillions winners since the game’s launch in 2004, this is the first time a French ticket has hit the jackpot at the full €250 million ceiling.
- Life-changing impact: Senior winners’ adviser Andy Carter, speaking on behalf of Allwyn (operator of the UK National Lottery), called it “life-changing not just for the winner, but also for their family, friends, and future generations.”
Other Winners from the Same Draw
The jackpot wasn’t the only prize handed out. The same draw created thousands of winners across Europe:
- Seven players matched five numbers + one Lucky Star, each receiving around £130,554.
- Another seven matched five numbers, winning £13,561.20 each.
- Dozens more matched four numbers plus two Lucky Stars, earning approximately £844 per player.
- In total, over 1.6 million players received smaller prizes ranging from £2.50 upwards, proving that EuroMillions spreads winnings widely, even when one player takes the top jackpot.
EuroMillions: How It Works
EuroMillions is a pan-European lottery launched in 2004 by France, Spain, and the UK, later expanding to include nine participating countries. The draws are held every Tuesday and Friday evening in Paris.
- Cost: Each ticket costs €2.50 (£2.50 in the UK).
- Format: Players select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12.
- Jackpot cap: The maximum prize is capped at €250 million. If nobody wins after five draws at the cap, the prize money rolls down to lower prize tiers.
- Odds: The odds of hitting the jackpot are about 1 in 139 million.
France is historically one of the most successful EuroMillions countries, producing over 120 jackpot winners since the game began.
Past EuroMillions Record Wins
The French win now tops the list of all-time EuroMillions jackpots. For comparison, here are some of the biggest previous wins:
- €250 million – France, 19 August 2025 (current record)
- €250 million – Ireland, 17 June 2025 (family syndicate)
- €250 million – Austria, 28 March 2025
- €230 million (£195.7m) – UK, July 2022 (anonymous winner)
- €220 million – France, October 2021
- €190 million – UK, October 2019
- €185 million – Scotland, July 2011 (Colin and Chris Weir)
This list shows how EuroMillions jackpots have consistently grown over the years, especially after the cap was raised to €250 million in 2020.
The Process After a Jackpot Win
When a player wins such a huge prize, there are several steps before receiving the money:
- Validation – The winner must present the physical ticket (or digital proof) to the national lottery operator.
- Claim period – In France, winners generally have 60 days to come forward.
- Anonymity or publicity – Winners may choose to remain anonymous or allow their story to be shared publicly.
- Payout – The money is usually transferred as a lump sum, tax-free in most EuroMillions countries (including France).
Why This Jackpot Matters
This French win is not just about luck—it highlights:
- The immense popularity of EuroMillions, with millions of tickets sold across Europe each week.
- The psychological impact of capped jackpots—when the top prize hits its maximum, ticket sales surge, fueling lottery excitement.
- The wider distribution of wealth—while one player takes home €250 million, more than 1.6 million others also benefited from the same draw.
The record €250 million EuroMillions jackpot is a milestone moment in European lottery history. A French ticket holder has officially become one of the richest lottery winners of all time, with a fortune that could rival the lifetime earnings of top athletes or business moguls.
As the nation waits for the lucky individual—or group—to claim their winnings, the story has reignited excitement about the life-changing possibilities of the EuroMillions. For now, millions of hopefuls across Europe will continue to play, dreaming that the next record-breaking jackpot might just have their numbers written on it.
The Information is Collected from MSN and BBC.
