The lottery reward increased to an estimated $1.1 billion ahead of the next drawing on Tuesday night because no one was able to match all six numbers and win the estimated $940 million jackpot.
The award is now the third largest in American history. Late on Friday, the following numbers were drawn: 3, 20, 46, 59, 63, and gold Mega Ball 13.
For more than two months, there have been 24 drawings with no jackpot winner. The game's high odds of 1 in 302.6 million are partly to blame for the dismal streak.
For a winner who selects an annuity paid annually over 29 years, the new estimated prize of $1.1 billion is available.
The cash option, which for Tuesday night's drawing will be estimated at $568.7 million, is typically chosen by grand prize winners.
We advise our players to stick to their entertainment budget as the jackpot increases and take part in this jackpot run with us.
According to a statement from Mega Millions, the only jackpots bigger than the anticipated $1.1 billion opportunity on Tuesday were the $1.53 billion prize won in South Carolina in 2018 and the $1.33 billion winning ticket purchased in Illinois in July.
The Mega Millions jackpot attracted lots of customers, according to Elijah Kouza, assistant manager of Buscemi's convenience store in Livonia, Michigan, before Friday night's drawing.
Kouza anticipated significantly higher Mega Millions ticket sales than the 20 to 25 typically sold on a Friday because the $940 million prize was widely touted at the retailer.
He remarked, "I kind of find that humorous because if it's like $100 million, people are like, 'Nah.' They'll pass.