Two lucky Connecticut residents are celebrating life-changing wins after Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing yielded over $1 million in combined prizes. The February 21, 2025 draw saw matching numbers create instant millionaires as America’s favorite jackpot game continues making headlines.
**The Winning Formula**
Friday’s numbers – 8, 14, 23, 42, 56 with Mega Ball 9 – created multiple winners across participating states. While no one hit the $365 million jackpot, Connecticut players scored big with:
– One $1 million Match 5 winner
– A secondary $20K prize winner
**Record-Breaking Potential**
Mega Millions maintains its status as America’s premier lottery game through:
– Tuesday & Friday draws at 11 PM ET
– Starting jackpots of $20 million
– Optional Megaplier boosts up to 5X
– Over $5 million maximum Match 5 prizes with Megaplier
**How to Play Smart**
Recent winners used these proven strategies:
1. Purchased tickets before 10 PM ET cutoff
2. Added $1 Megaplier for enhanced non-jackpot wins
3. Verified numbers through official lottery apps
4. Secured physical tickets for validation
**Claiming Your Fortune**
Winners have 180 days to claim prizes at:
– Local retailers (up to $599)
– District offices (up to $1 million)
– Tallahassee HQ (over $1 million)
The next Mega Millions drawing on February 25 offers a $390 million jackpot cash option of $175 million. Tickets remain available until 10 PM ET at authorized retailers nationwide.
