How do EuroMillions Superdraws Work?

Updated: Monday 16th April 2018

The first EuroMillions Superdraw of the year will take place on Friday 20th April 2018, pushing the jackpot up to a stunning nine-figure amount and sparking excitement across the UK and the rest of Europe. But how high are the jackpots for Superdraws, where does the money come from and how does it all work?

How high are Superdraw jackpots?

The jackpot for a Superdraw is decided a few weeks in advance by the different lottery operators in the nine EuroMillions nations. The value is fixed in Euros and historically the figure has either been €100 million or €130 million. The jackpot for Friday’s Superdraw will be €130 million (approximately £110 million).

Where does the money come from?

The EuroMillions jackpot currently stands at £21 million, and will be raised to its advertised amount on Friday regardless of whether someone wins on Tuesday or not. Either way, it will be a significant increase, but the money is available thanks to the EuroMillions Reserve Fund.

The Reserve Fund receives a percentage of the Common Prize Fund from every draw and is in place to ensure the minimum jackpot of €17 million (around £14 million) can always be offered. Superdraws, or other big events such as European Millionaire Maker draws, can then be organised when the Reserve Fund builds up an excess.

If a larger jackpot than €130 million had already accumulated prior to the Superdraw as a result of several rollovers, the Reserve Fund would not be required to top up the prize and the jackpot would stay at its higher level rather than be reduced to meet its advertised amount. A new event could then be organised in the near future.

Does the jackpot have to be won on the night?

No. In fact, the jackpot has only been won on the night in seven of the previous 19 Superdraws. The top prize can roll over if nobody matches all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars on Friday night, meaning that an even larger jackpot will be up for grabs in the following draw.

How high can the jackpot go?

EuroMillions has a jackpot cap of €190 million (approximately £164 million). Once it reaches this value, it can remain at €190 million for a maximum of five draws, and money that would usually top up the jackpot is instead used to swell the prize value of the next winning tier. If nobody wins the jackpot in the fifth draw at €190 million, the full amount is rolled down to be split between those players who have matched five main numbers and one Lucky Star. If there are no ticket holders in this tier, the money will be shared between players who have matched five main numbers, and so on.

As the jackpot cap is in Euros, the equivalent prize in pound sterling can fluctuate from draw to draw. When it hit €190 million for the first time in 2012, the jackpot in sterling on Tuesday 7th August was £151 million. Nobody won in that draw, and the exchange rate for the next draw on Friday 10th August left the jackpot at £148.6 million. Adrian and Gillian Bayford matched the full winning line to pocket the lot.

How can I play?

Apart from the guaranteed jackpot, a Superdraw works in the same way as any other draw and you can take part online or by going to an authorised retailer. Players are required to pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12, and it does not matter whether you have played before or not. Jane Park made headlines as the UK’s youngest lottery winner when she bought her first ticket at the age of 17 in 2013 and won a £1 million EuroMillions prize. Richard Wahl, a food processing plant manager from New Jersey in America, revealed at the weekend that the ticket which recently landed him a staggering $533 million Mega Millions jackpot was only the second one he had ever bought for the game.

The odds of winning are the same for each combination of EuroMillions numbers, but you can increase your chances by joining a syndicate. There are several ways to go about playing in a group, such as teaming up with friends or work colleagues, but you can also just do it online for added convenience. All you need to do is decide how many shares you wish to purchase, and you can pick up more if you want a larger portion of the prize. You are effectively entering multiple lines into the draw, whilst splitting the cost with other players, and you have the benefit of knowing that your numbers are safely stored online. Prizes will also be paid automatically.

How can I win?

You have to match all seven numbers drawn to win the Superdraw jackpot, but EuroMillions has 13 prize tiers so you can see a return even if you just match two main numbers. If you play multiple lines, either on your own or in a syndicate, there is also a better chance that you will snap up a number of smaller prizes.

You will have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim any prizes you win, and can then decide whether to go public like the Bayfords or keep your identity secret. The last UK winner of a Superdraw did just that, coming forward to claim a stunning prize of £87.7 million anonymously after landing the top prize on Friday 30th June.

Time to take part

Friday’s Superdraw jackpot could well roll over towards something even bigger, but the top prize has already been won a couple of times this month and the huge prize is set to attract even more players, so it is an opportunity to try and grab. Pop along to an authorised retailer now or buy your ticket online. Good luck!

Published: Monday 16th April 2018

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