Ranking of the Highest Jackpots of 2025
The year 2025 has been incredible for lottery fans. We’ve seen eye‑popping jackpots, prizes that captured the world’s attention, and winners whose lives changed forever.
Ranking of the Highest Jackpots of 2025 (and the stories behind them)
The year 2025 has been incredible for lottery fans. We’ve seen eye‑popping jackpots, prizes that captured the world’s attention, and winners whose lives changed forever. In this post, we take a look at the biggest jackpots of the year and what made each of them memorable — with stories that go beyond just the numbers.
$1.8 BILLION – Powerball (December 24, 2025)
Arkansas, USA
We start with one of the most spectacular jackpots of the year: a massive $1.8 billion Powerball prize. The winning ticket was sold in Arkansas and hit all the numbers that morning.
The winner had the choice between an annuity payout or a one‑time lump sum of around $834.9 million before taxes — a life‑changing decision to make. On top of that, many players also won $1 million secondary prizes by matching five of the main numbers.
It was a truly unforgettable way to close out the year.
$1.787 BILLION – Powerball (September 5, 2025)
Missouri & Texas, USA
Nearly as massive as the previous one, this September Powerball jackpot was split between two winning tickets — one sold in Missouri and the other in Texas. Each holder walked away with their share of an enormous prize.
This draw once again showed why Powerball continues to be one of the most followed lotteries in the world: big dreams, big excitement, and big headlines.
€250 MILLION – EuroMillions (June 17, 2025)
Ireland
Across the Atlantic in Europe, one of the biggest highlights of 2025 came when a lucky player in Ireland hit the €250 million EuroMillions jackpot.
This was the maximum capped jackpot for the game — one of the most impressive in the region this year and a moment many players will remember.
€120 MILLION – Eurojackpot (September 23, 2025)
Germany
Another standout European prize came from Eurojackpot, with a jackpot reaching €120 million, won by a ticket sold in Germany.
While smaller than the record‑setting EuroMillions prize, this was still a huge sum that thrilled many players across the continent.
$980 MILLION – Mega Millions (November 14, 2025)
Georgia, USA
In the other major U.S. lottery, Mega Millions delivered one of its biggest jackpots of the year — $980 million — on a ticket sold in Georgia.
This prize not only set records in the state but also gave the winner the same choice between yearly installments or a smaller upfront payment, before taxes.
More remarkable jackpots from 2025
2025 wasn’t only about record totals; it also gave us memorable prize moments, including:
$348 million – Mega Millions (June 2025): Ticket sold in Virginia, the largest in state history.
$526.5 million – Powerball (March 2025): Winning ticket from California, one of early 2025’s biggest jackpots.
€30 million+ jackpots in national European lotteries like Germany’s “6 aus 49” and others that kept excitement high throughout the year.
Conclusion: a year to remember
2025 was full of excitement, huge numbers and life‑changing prizes. From the U.S. to Europe and beyond, these jackpots prove why lotteries continue to inspire hope and dreams around the globe.
Imagine seeing your name on a list like this in 2026 — the next big story could begin with just the right numbers.