The EuroMillions lottery is one of Europe’s most exciting games of chance, captivating millions with the promise of life-changing jackpots.
Since its launch in 2004, the EuroMillions has awarded hundreds of massive jackpots, created instant millionaires, and sparked dreams across nine participating countries.
Let’s take a look at the fascinating world of EuroMillions jackpot winners, explore which countries have been the luckiest, and uncover some of the most memorable moments in the game’s history.
How Many People Have Won the EuroMillions Jackpot?
Since the very first EuroMillions draw on 13th February 2004, there have been a total of 586 jackpots won as of April 2025.
This remarkable tally is spread across more than 1,800 draws, with each jackpot win marking a moment of celebration for players and their home countries.
But what does it mean to “win the jackpot”? In EuroMillions, the jackpot is claimed when a ticket matches all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
Sometimes, a single ticket scoops the entire prize; other times, the jackpot is split between multiple winners if more than one ticket matches the winning combination in the same draw.
Which Country Has the Most Jackpot Winners?
EuroMillions is played in nine countries: the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and Luxembourg.
Each country has its own lottery operator, and every nation has celebrated at least one jackpot win.
However, some countries have proven luckier than others.
Winners by country as of April 2025:
| Country | Jackpot Winners | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 132 | 22.5% |
| France | 131 | 22.4% |
| Spain | 122 | 20.8% |
| Portugal | 86 | 14.7% |
| Belgium | 45 | 7.7% |
| Switzerland | 26 | 4.4% |
| Austria | 21 | 3.6% |
| Ireland | 19 | 3.2% |
| Luxembourg | 4 | 0.7% |
| Total | 586 | 100% |
The United Kingdom holds the record for the most EuroMillions jackpot wins, closely followed by France and Spain.
These three countries alone account for nearly two-thirds of all jackpot wins.
Who Plays the EuroMillions the Most?
While precise ticket sales figures are not publicly available, the number of winners and the size of prize payouts give us a good sense of EuroMillions’ popularity.
The UK, France, and Spain consistently have the highest number of winners and the largest prize pools, indicating that players in these countries are particularly enthusiastic about the game.
The UK, for example, regularly boasts the largest number of prize winners in any given draw, and France and Spain are not far behind.
This popularity is reflected in their high jackpot win counts.
Biggest EuroMillions Jackpots Ever Won
EuroMillions jackpots can grow to extraordinary amounts, thanks to rollovers and special Superdraws.
The largest jackpots in EuroMillions history have reached the game’s cap, which is currently set at €250 million.
Standout Wins:
- €250 million (March 28, 2025): The biggest EuroMillions jackpot to date was won by an anonymous online player in Austria.
- €240 million (December 8, 2023): Also won by an anonymous online player in Austria.
- €230 million (July 19, 2022): A UK ticket holder scooped the entire prize and chose to remain anonymous.
- €220 million (October 2021): Won by a player in Tahiti, French Polynesia (part of France), who used the winnings to start an environmental foundation.
- £195.7 million (July 2022): The largest UK EuroMillions win, claimed by an anonymous ticket holder.
Many of these record-breaking wins were claimed by winners who chose to remain anonymous, a right that EuroMillions winners enjoy in most participating countries.
Who Won the Biggest Jackpots?
While many winners opt for privacy, a few have gone public:
Joe and Jess Thwaite (UK): Won £184,262,899 in May 2022 and chose to reveal their identities, sharing their story of disbelief and excitement.
Chris and Colin Weir (UK): Won £161.6 million (€185 million) in July 2011, becoming the UK’s biggest winners at the time.
‘Guy’ (France/Tahiti): Won €220 million in 2021 and used the money to fund environmental causes.
How Often Do Multiple People Share the Jackpot?
While it’s common for a single player to win the jackpot, there have been several occasions where the top prize was split between two or more winners.
The largest number of jackpot winners in a single draw is five, which has happened three times.
For example, on September 2, 2016, five ticket holders (three from the UK, one from Portugal, and one from France) split a jackpot of £32.8 million (€39.2 million).
Sharing the jackpot can happen when several players select the same winning combination, which is rare but not unheard of given the millions of tickets sold for each draw.
Fun and Fascinating Facts About EuroMillions
First Jackpot Winner: The very first EuroMillions jackpot was won by Marion Richardson from Tyneside, UK, in April 2004.
She took home £16.7 million and became a local celebrity overnight.
Most Millionaires Made in One Night: On July 27, 2012, EuroMillions’ UK Millionaire Maker raffle created 100 millionaires in a single night.
Ninety-seven of them claimed their £1 million prizes, setting a record that still stands.
Jackpot Cap and Superdraws: The jackpot cap has increased over the years, allowing for even larger prizes.
When the cap is reached, the jackpot can roll over for a limited number of draws before a “Must Be Won” event, which guarantees a winner.
Anonymous Winners: Many EuroMillions winners opt to remain anonymous, and the lottery fully supports their right to privacy.
Numbers and Luck: While some numbers are drawn more frequently than others, every combination has an equal chance of winning.
Still, some players like to pick the most commonly drawn numbers, such as 50, 44, 4, 19, and 37.
Why Do Some Countries Have More Winners?
The number of jackpot winners in each country is largely influenced by the number of tickets sold there.
The UK, France, and Spain have large populations and strong lottery traditions, resulting in more ticket sales and, therefore, more winners.
Smaller countries like Luxembourg and Ireland naturally have fewer winners due to their smaller player bases.
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More Than Just Jackpots
EuroMillions isn’t just about the headline-grabbing jackpots. Every draw creates millions of winners across various prize tiers, and special raffles like the UK’s Millionaire Maker add even more excitement.
Since 2004, EuroMillions has paid out billions in prizes, changed countless lives, and brought a sense of hope and anticipation to millions of players across Europe.
In Summary
586 jackpots have been won since EuroMillions began in 2004.
The UK has produced the most jackpot winners, closely followed by France and Spain.
The biggest jackpot ever won was €250 million in Austria in March 2025.
The largest number of winners in a single draw is five, which has happened three times.
EuroMillions is played most enthusiastically in the UK, France, and Spain, reflected in their high numbers of winners.
Many winners choose to remain anonymous, but some have shared their stories, inspiring millions more to dream big.
Whether you play for fun or for the thrill of the chase, EuroMillions continues to capture imaginations and create unforgettable moments across Europe.
Who knows – maybe the next jackpot winner will be you!
