The Ultimate Guide to the EuroMillions Jackpot Cap
The EuroMillions jackpot cap is €250 million, the highest prize possible in the extremely popular European lottery. Once the jackpot reaches the €250 million cap, all additional funds from ticket sales that would have been added to the jackpot roll down to the second tier prize. If after four draws at the €250 million jackpot cap there are no jackpot winners, the next draw offers a must-win jackpot. If there is no jackpot winner again in this draw, the 5th consecutive draw offering the top prize, the full amount will be split by the winners in the next highest prize tier. Check out the full EuroMillions prize breakdown here.
How the EuroMillions Jackpot Cap Works
The EuroMillions jackpot starts off at €17 million. If it is not won, the jackpot rolls over and continues to grow from draw to draw until it reaches the lottery’s jackpot cap of €250 million. Once this prize amount is reached, all proceeds from ticket sales that would have pushed the jackpot higher will roll down into the next prize tier. The EuroMillions jackpot will then reset to €17 million, starting a new jackpot cycle.
The EuroMillions jackpot can remain at its maximum amount for four consecutive draws. If it’s still not won, the next draw will offer a must-win jackpot. If the jackpot is again not won, all the prize money will roll down and be distributed among winners in the next highest prize tier.
All of the above regulations for the jackpot cap apply to the next EuroMillions Superdraw as well.
EuroMillions Jackpot Cap History
The first ‘jackpot cap’ was actually a roll over limit that was set in February 2004. This roll over limit was set at a maximum of 11 draws in a row in which the top jackpot could not be won. If no one matched all 5 numbers and both Lucky Stars on the 12th draw then the jackpot would be added to the next highest winning tier.
In November 2009, it was decided that the rollover limit of €185 million would be raised by €5 million once the jackpot cap was reached.
Chris and Colin Weir of Scotland won the €185 million top prize in July 2011 thereby raising the cap to €190 million, where it has remained since.
Changes to the EuroMillions game in September 2016 extended the amount of draws that the €190 million jackpot cap could remain before it had to be won from one to four. Changes introduced in February 2020 raised the cap to €200 million with the possibility that it could grow as high as €250 million.
Important EuroMillions Jackpot Cap Dates
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November 2006
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The EuroMillions jackpot once again rolls over eleven times, the maximum allowed, before being won on Friday 17 November 2006. Since no tickets match all five main numbers and the two Lucky Stars the jackpot is added to the second tier prize for matching all five main numbers and one Lucky Star. 20 lucky winners each take home €9.65 million!
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November 2009
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Jackpot cap changes to €185 million.
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July 2011
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The EuroMillions jackpot reaches its new maximum of €185 million and is won by Chris and Colin Weir of Scotland on 12 July 2011.
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January 2012
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Jackpot cap changes to €190 million.
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August 2012
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The EuroMillions jackpot hits its new cap of €190 million on 7 August 2012 before being won by Adrian and Gillian Bayford from Suffolk, UK on 10 August 2012.
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October 2014
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EuroMillions reaches the jackpot cap of €190 million on Friday 24 October 2014 and is won by a single ticket purchased in Portugal.
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September 2016
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As part of wide-sweeping rules changes introduced to the EuroMillions game, the jackpot is allowed to remain capped at €190 million for four draws before it must be won.
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October 2019
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The EuroMillions jackpot soars to €190 million, an amazing prize eventually won by a single ticket purchased in the UK.
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February 2020
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EuroMillions changes the jackpot cap structure, initially raising it to €200 million with the possibility that it will subsequently grow as high as €250 million.
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December 2020
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After a record €200 million jackpot is won by a single ticket purchased in France, the EuroMillions jackpot cap rises to €210 million.
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February 2021
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The EuroMillions jackpot cap is increased to €220 million after a single winner from Switzerland wins a €210 million jackpot in the 26 February 2021 draw.
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October 2021
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After a record €220 million jackpot is won by a single ticket purchased in French Polynesia for the draw on 15 October 2021, the EuroMillions jackpot cap is boosted to €230 million.
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July 2022
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The EuroMillions jackpot cap will be raised to €240 million after a record €230 million was won by a single ticket sold in the UK for the 19 July 2022 draw.
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December 2023
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After a record-breaking €240 million was won by a single ticketholder from Austria, the EuroMillions jackpot cap will be raised to €250 million. This is the final time the EuroMillions jackpot will be raised until further notice.
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EuroMillions Game Rules
Game format: 5 main numbers plus 2 additional Lucky Stars!
EuroMillions lottery tickets have two fields. One table with main numbers from 1 to 50 and another box with additional numbers, Lucky Stars, from 1 to 12. In the first table, players need to select 5 from the 50 main numbers, while in the second box they need to select two numbers, the Lucky Stars, from 1 to 12. When a player matches all 5 main numbers as well as the two Lucky Stars, he or she wins the jackpot! Want more info on how to win EuroMillions' top prize? Find out here!
Buying EuroMillions Tickets Online
Whether the EuroMillions jackpot is at the starting €17 million or at the €250 million cap it is always possible to buy EuroMillions Austria tickets no matter where in the world you are!