You can usually buy Mega Millions tickets up until about 15 minutes to 1 hour before the drawing, but the exact cutoff depends on your state. Most drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM local time, and ticket sales stop a few minutes before the draw in many states (often around 9:45 PM to 10:00 PM local). Because deadlines vary by jurisdiction, check your state's lottery website or contact them directly for the precise cutoff today. Key points to know
- Draw days and times: Mega Millions draws occur on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM local time.
- Cutoff times: Vary by state (commonly around 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM on draw night). Some states list specific cutoffs (for example, 9:45 PM or 9:59 PM), while others may have slightly different times.
- Finality: Once purchased, tickets cannot be canceled, and you must claim prizes within the state’s specified window if you win.
If you’d like, specify your state (or a couple of nearby states if you’re traveling) and I can give you the exact cutoff time for today.
