4 Arizona tickets just missed Mega Millions jackpot of more than $500M

PHOENIX – Four lottery tickets purchased in metro Phoenix last week were one number from hitting what would have been the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.

Since nobody won Friday’s drawing, the prize is now up to $615 million ($451.8 million with the cash option) for Tuesday, which would be the fourth-largest in the game’s history.

According to a press release, the Valley tickets that just missed last week’s $520 million payout were sold at a Fry’s Food Store in Tempe (3255 S. Rural Road) and three Circle K convenience stores (3140 E. Broadway Road in Phoenix; 4104 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale; and 801 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa).

By matching four out of five numbers (3, 6, 16, 18, 58) plus the Mega Ball (11), the tickets are each worth $10,000. Nationwide, 84 tickets matched four white balls and the Mega Ball.

The jackpot has climbed past $600 million for just the fourth time in the history of Mega Millions, which debuted in 2002.

Mega Millions isn’t the only game with a soaring jackpot.

The Powerball pot is up to $550 million for Wednesday, which would be the ninth-largest prize in the game’s 29-year history.

There were five Mega Millions jackpot winners in 2020, including the game’s first Arizona winners. The last one was Sept. 15.

A Glendale married couple struck it rich in the June 9 drawing, which had a $414 million jackpot.

The 70-year-old man and 63-year-old woman selected the lump-sum payout, which came to $319.9 million gross and about $227.8 million after state and federal taxes were withheld.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 9 p.m. Arizona time. Powerball drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m.

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