EuroMillions is one of Europe’s biggest lottery games, with prizes across several tiers. A common question is how many numbers are needed to win and how those prize levels are worked out.
This guide explains the prize tiers, the combinations required, the odds for each tier, and how jackpots and other prizes are calculated and shared. It also covers how prizes are paid and the safest ways to check results.
Understanding these points helps set clear expectations. Outcomes are random, prizes are not guaranteed, and anyone choosing to play should only spend what is affordable.
How Many Numbers Do You Need To Match To Win A Prize?
A EuroMillions prize is awarded for matching at least two main numbers, or certain combinations that include Lucky Stars. The minimum winning combination is Match 2, which typically pays around £2.50, though actual amounts vary. As more main numbers and Lucky Stars are matched, prize values generally increase. For example, three main numbers often pays around £6.00, while five main numbers plus one Lucky Star has historically been in the six-figure range.
The top tier, the jackpot, is won by matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars. There is no prize for matching only the Lucky Stars, but combinations like 1 + 2 Lucky Stars and 2 + 1 Lucky Star are prize-winning tiers.
In the UK, a separate Millionaire Maker raffle is run alongside the main game. If a player’s code is drawn, it pays a fixed £1,000,000, regardless of how many main numbers were matched.
EuroMillions Prize Tiers And What To Match
EuroMillions has multiple prize tiers based on how many main numbers and Lucky Stars are matched. Amounts shown below are typical examples and can change from draw to draw.
Match 5 + 2 Lucky Stars (Jackpot)
This wins the jackpot. The exact amount depends on ticket sales, rollovers and whether the top prize is shared.
Match 5 + 1 Lucky Star
This is usually the second-highest tier, often around £130,554.30.
Match 5 Only
Five main numbers without Lucky Stars typically pay about £13,561.20.
Match 4 + 2 Lucky Stars
This tier often pays in the region of £844.70.
Match 4 + 1 Lucky Star
This combination commonly returns about £77.80.
Match 4 Only
Four main numbers alone usually pay around £25.60.
Match 3 + 2 Lucky Stars
A typical return for this tier is about £9.10.
Match 3 + 1 Lucky Star
This is often around £7.30.
Match 3 Only
Three main numbers usually pay about £6.00.
Match 2 + 2 Lucky Stars
This combination often pays roughly £4.90.
Match 2 + 1 Lucky Star
This tier is commonly around £3.60.
Match 1 + 2 Lucky Stars
This usually pays in the region of £4.30.
Match 0 + 2 Lucky Stars
There is no prize for this combination.
Prize values vary because the main draw prizes are not fixed. The separate Millionaire Maker code, however, is a fixed £1,000,000 per winning code.
What Are The Odds For Each Prize Tier?
The odds reflect how many possible combinations exist. Matching all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars is the rarest outcome, with odds of 1 in 139,838,160.
The next tiers become more likely:
- 5 + 1 Lucky Star: about 1 in 6,991,908
- 5 only: roughly 1 in 3,107,515
- 4 + 2 Lucky Stars: around 1 in 621,503
- 4 + 1 Lucky Star: about 1 in 31,076
Lower tiers occur more often. Matching two main numbers, for example, is roughly 1 in 22. These figures can change if rules are updated, but the pattern is consistent: the more numbers matched, the harder it is to achieve.
With those odds in mind, it helps to know how the cash behind each tier is set.
Are Secondary Prizes Fixed Or Variable?
Non-jackpot prizes are variable because they are funded by a share of ticket sales and then divided among all winners in each tier. When there are many winners in a tier, each person’s payout is lower; when there are fewer winners, the payout is higher. This is why amounts fluctuate from draw to draw.
In practice, some of the lower tiers tend to look similar week to week, while the higher non-jackpot tiers can move more noticeably. The Millionaire Maker, by contrast, is fixed at £1,000,000 per winning code because it is a separate raffle.
How Are Jackpots And Prize Amounts Determined?
A portion of every ticket sold goes into the prize pool. The rules set out how that pool is split across the tiers. The jackpot starts at a set minimum. When it is not won, it rolls over to the next draw and can keep growing up to a cap that is reviewed from time to time.
When sales are high, the pool is larger, which can increase payouts across tiers. When a tier has more winners than usual, the share for each winner is smaller. This same approach applies from the top prize down to the lowest paid tier, with percentages allocated to each level and divided between all winners in that level.
If the jackpot is capped, any additional funds that would have increased it are redirected to lower tiers according to the game’s rules.
What Happens If Multiple Winners Share A Prize?
If more than one entry wins a tier, the amount allocated to that tier is split equally among all winners. This applies to every tier, including the jackpot. For instance, if two entries win the top tier, each receives half of the jackpot.
The Millionaire Maker is handled differently. Each winning code receives the full £1,000,000 because it is a separate raffle, not a shared pool for matching numbers.
Knowing how sharing works also helps when it comes to payment and claiming.
How Are Prizes Paid Out And Claimed?
Payment depends on how the ticket was bought and the size of the prize. For online entries, smaller amounts are usually credited to the player’s account automatically. Larger wins typically trigger contact from the operator to guide the claimant through the next steps. High-value prizes are normally paid after identity checks are completed and are issued as a single lump sum.
For tickets bought in shops, smaller prizes can usually be claimed in-store, while larger amounts must be claimed via the official process. Every prize must be claimed within the published deadline, which in the UK is typically 180 days from the draw date. Unclaimed prizes after that point are forfeited.
How To Check Your EuroMillions Numbers?
There are several simple ways to check results. The official website and app publish the winning numbers and prize breakdowns, and online entries are usually flagged automatically if they have won. Paper tickets can be scanned or checked at authorised retailers, and results are also listed in national newspapers and on trusted lottery sites.
Whichever method is used, stick to reliable sources to avoid incorrect information. If you choose to take part, keep play affordable and seek support if it ever stops being manageable. Help is available from organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware, who offer free, confidential advice.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.