EuroMillions is one of the best-known lottery games in Europe, and its prize table can look a bit dense at first glance. The key is understanding which combinations are needed for each tier and how the payouts are decided.
This blog post breaks down what you need to match to win, how the odds stack up, and how prize amounts are calculated. It also covers checking tickets, claiming prizes, and a few simple scenarios to make everything click.
EuroMillions is a game of random outcomes. There are no guarantees, so only take part if it fits your budget and limits.
How Many Numbers Do I Need To Win Any Prize On EuroMillions?
Prizes are awarded for matching different combinations of main numbers and Lucky Stars. You can win with either:
- at least two main numbers, or
- one main number plus both Lucky Stars.
The more matches, the higher the tier. Matching Lucky Stars alongside main numbers can lift a prize into a higher bracket. For example, five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars is the jackpot, while two main numbers is the lowest standard tier in the main draw.
There are thirteen prize tiers in total, each linked to specific combinations. Full details are shown in the official breakdown and summarised below.
Prize Tiers And How Many Numbers You Need
EuroMillions assigns prizes to set combinations of main numbers and Lucky Stars. The higher the match, the higher the tier.
Below is a clear guide to the prize tiers, showing the combinations needed for each:
Jackpot: Match 5 Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars
This is the top tier, awarded for matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
Match 5 Numbers + 1 Lucky Star
Five main numbers plus one Lucky Star lands the second tier. The estimated prize for this is £130,554.30, although amounts vary by draw.
Match 5 Numbers
Five main numbers without Lucky Stars is the third tier. The usual award for this is around £13,561.20.
Match 4 Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars
Four main numbers plus both Lucky Stars typically pays about £844.70.
Match 4 Numbers + 1 Lucky Star
Four main numbers and one Lucky Star usually return around £77.80.
Match 4 Numbers
Four main numbers on their own still qualify for a prize, though it is lower than the tiers that include Lucky Stars.
Match 3 Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars
Three main numbers and both Lucky Stars usually pay around £9.10.
Match 3 Numbers + 1 Lucky Star
Three main numbers plus one Lucky Star generally pay about £7.30.
Match 3 Numbers
Three main numbers alone currently pay around £6.00.
Match 2 Numbers + 2 Lucky Stars
Two main numbers and both Lucky Stars typically pay about £4.30.
Match 2 Numbers + 1 Lucky Star
Two main numbers with one Lucky Star often pay around £3.60.
Match 2 Numbers
Two main numbers give the lowest standard prize in the main draw, usually about £2.50.
Match 1 Number + 2 Lucky Stars
One main number with both Lucky Stars is also a winning combination, typically paying around £4.30.
All prize figures are indicative and can change from draw to draw.
Curious how likely each of those outcomes is? The next section puts numbers on the chances.
What Are The Odds For Each Prize Tier?
Each tier has its own odds, based on how many numbers and Lucky Stars must be matched. The jackpot is the least likely outcome, while the lower tiers are more frequent.
Here is a summary of the estimated odds for each prize tier:
- Jackpot (5 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars): 1 in 139,838,160
- 5 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 6,991,908
- 5 main numbers: 1 in 3,107,515
- 4 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 621,503
- 4 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 31,075
- 4 main numbers: 1 in 13,811
- 3 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 14,125
- 3 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 706
- 3 main numbers: 1 in 314
- 2 main numbers + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 985
- 2 main numbers + 1 Lucky Star: 1 in 49
- 2 main numbers: 1 in 22
- 1 main number + 2 Lucky Stars: 1 in 188
Odds are fixed by the game’s format, not by how many tickets are sold. What does change is how much each tier pays, which comes down to prize funding and how many winners there are in a draw.
How Prize Amounts Are Calculated
EuroMillions uses a prize fund model. A share of ticket sales goes into a central pot, which is then split across tiers using set percentages. The jackpot starts at a minimum amount and can roll over when it is not won, which is why it can grow quickly. Lower tiers tend to be more stable but can still vary depending on ticket sales and the number of winners in each tier.
Estimated payouts are shown ahead of each draw, but the actual amounts are finalised once results are confirmed. In the UK, the separate Millionaire Maker raffle also creates at least one guaranteed £1,000,000 winner per draw, independent of the main game.
Do Lucky Stars Count Towards Winning A Prize?
Yes. Lucky Stars work alongside main numbers to determine most prize tiers. Combinations such as 5+2, 5+1, 4+2 and 3+2 all rely on them, and even 1 main number with both Lucky Stars is a winning line.
Matching only Lucky Stars without the minimum required main numbers does not qualify. As noted earlier, the smallest winning combinations are either two main numbers, or one main number with both Lucky Stars.
How To Check Your Ticket And Claim A Prize?
After each draw, results are published online, through official apps, and at authorised retailers. Many sites offer a ticket checker, which compares your numbers to the winning line for that draw.
How prizes are paid depends on how the ticket was bought. Retail tickets can usually be paid in-store for smaller amounts, while larger sums are claimed through designated locations or the operator directly. Online purchases are generally credited to the player’s account for smaller wins, with additional verification needed for higher amounts.
There is a claim deadline of 180 days from the draw date in the UK. Unclaimed prizes after that point are allocated to good causes.
Example Winning Scenarios To Understand Matches
A ticket with five main numbers and two Lucky Stars qualifies for the jackpot. Five main numbers plus one Lucky Star is the next tier down, which can still be a substantial amount.
Two main numbers and one Lucky Star would sit in a lower tier, while two main numbers alone qualify for the lowest standard prize in the main draw. One main number with both Lucky Stars is also a winning line in its own tier.
If playing, keep it within your limits. Help is available if you need it, including from GamCare and GambleAware, who provide free, confidential support.
That is the EuroMillions prize table in a nutshell: the combinations you need, the odds behind them, and how the payouts are decided.
**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.