EuroMillions offers a range of prize tiers, each based on how many numbers are matched. Understanding how these tiers work makes it easier to read your ticket and see what any match could mean.
This guide breaks down how many numbers are needed for each tier, the odds for each outcome, the role of Lucky Stars, how prizes are calculated, and what rollovers and jackpot caps do to the prize pool. It also covers how prizes are claimed in the UK and whether systems or patterns change anything in practice.
As with all lottery products, outcomes are random and never guaranteed. Set personal limits that suit your circumstances and only play what you can afford.
How Many Numbers Do You Need To Match For Each Prize Tier?
EuroMillions uses 5 main numbers and 2 Lucky Stars to decide which prize tier a ticket falls into. To win the jackpot, all 5 main numbers and both Lucky Stars must be matched. Matching 5 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star is the second tier, and matching 5 main numbers without any Lucky Stars is the third.
Below these sit further tiers that combine 4 or 3 main numbers with either one or both Lucky Stars, plus prizes for simpler matches. There are also awards for as few as 2 main numbers, and for 1 main number when it is combined with both Lucky Stars. The lowest prize usually starts at 2 main numbers.
UK players also receive an entry into the Millionaire Maker raffle with every line, where one code is selected to win £1,000,000 in each participating draw.
If that shows how the tiers are built, the natural next question is how likely each one is.
EuroMillions Odds For Each Prize Tier
The chance of winning changes with each tier. The jackpot, which needs 5 main numbers and both Lucky Stars, has odds of 1 in 139,838,160. For the second tier, where 5 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star must be matched, the odds are 1 in 6,991,908. Matching 5 main numbers only comes in at 1 in 3,107,515.
Further down, matching 4 main numbers and both Lucky Stars is 1 in 621,503. As the combinations become simpler, the odds shorten, right down to 1 in 22 for matching just 2 main numbers.
Millionaire Maker is drawn separately in the UK. Every EuroMillions line has a unique raffle code, and the odds for that prize depend on how many codes are in the draw that night.
With the likelihoods in mind, it helps to look at what each tier actually represents.
EuroMillions Prize Tiers Explained
Each EuroMillions prize tier is defined by a distinct mix of main numbers and Lucky Stars. The top tier is the jackpot with 5 main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. The next tiers step down through 5+1 Star and 5 only, then combinations of 4 and 3 main numbers with either one or two Lucky Stars. Prizes also exist for 2 main numbers, and for a small number of lines where Lucky Stars are matched alongside fewer main numbers.
Amounts differ by tier. Higher tiers are paid from a share of the prize pool that changes with ticket sales and the number of winners, so the value can vary between draws. Lower tiers are often fixed at set amounts, which makes those prizes more predictable.
UK players have the additional Millionaire Maker raffle alongside the main game, where at least one code is selected to win £1,000,000 in each participating draw.
What Are Lucky Stars And How Do They Affect Winning?
Lucky Stars are drawn from a separate pool and sit alongside the 5 main numbers. When entering, each line includes two Lucky Stars as well as the main numbers.
They act as multipliers for progression through the tiers. Matching both Lucky Stars is essential for the jackpot, while 1 Lucky Star can lift a ticket into a higher tier compared with the same main-number match on its own. Because they are drawn from their own pool, they increase the number of possible outcomes and help create more prize levels across the game.
In short, the more of the required Lucky Stars you match, the higher the tier your line can reach for the same count of main numbers.
Prize Calculation And Fixed Tiers
EuroMillions blends fixed and variable prizes. For several lower tiers, the amount is fixed, so a win for, say, 3 main numbers is typically £6.00 and 2 main numbers is £2.50. These values are set so that players know what to expect for those simpler matches.
Higher up the table, including the jackpot, prizes are variable. A defined share of the prize fund is allocated to each of these tiers, and that share is then divided between all winners in the tier. The size of the fund depends on ticket sales for the draw, and the number of winners determines how that share is split, so values can move from one draw to the next.
Alongside the main game, Millionaire Maker is fixed at £1,000,000 for one UK code in each participating draw.
How Do Rollovers And The Jackpot Cap Affect Prize Distribution?
If no ticket matches 5 main numbers plus both Lucky Stars, the jackpot rolls over. The unclaimed top-tier share of the prize fund is carried to the next draw, which is why jackpots can grow quickly during a run of rollovers.
There is also a jackpot cap. Once the cap is reached, the top prize cannot grow further. If the jackpot remains unwon for a set number of draws at the cap, special draw-down rules apply and some of the top-tier funds are distributed to the next winning tier. This keeps the game moving and ensures the prize pool does not just sit at the ceiling.
Other tiers are calculated independently and are not affected by rollovers or the cap, so their payouts continue to follow the fixed or variable rules described earlier.
If a prize comes your way, the next step is knowing how to claim it.
Claiming EuroMillions Prizes In The UK
How a EuroMillions prize is paid in the UK depends on where the ticket was bought and the amount won. Smaller wins from retail tickets can usually be paid by authorised retailers, while larger prizes may be handled by designated Post Offices or by contacting The National Lottery. Online and app purchases are typically credited straight to the registered account for most wins, though higher amounts may require identity checks and a call from the operator.
There is a 180-day deadline from the draw date to claim any prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after this period and are usually directed to National Lottery funded projects. Prizes are paid tax-free for UK residents.
For paper tickets, keep them safe and in good condition until the claim is complete. Signing the back of the ticket can help protect it.
Can You Improve Your Chances With Systems Or Patterns?
Some players try techniques such as selecting number patterns, using past results, or wheeling systems to cover more combinations. While these approaches can change how your numbers are spread across lines, they do not alter the probability of any given combination being drawn. Every possible line has the same chance of appearing, whether you pick it yourself or let a random selector choose.
Buying more entries gives you more chances in that draw, but the odds for each line stay exactly the same and there is never a guarantee of a return. Treat participation as paid entertainment, keep within a budget that fits your situation, and take breaks if it stops feeling enjoyable. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential support.
Knowing how the tiers work, what the odds look like, and how prizes are paid means you can read your ticket with confidence and enjoy the game on informed terms.
**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.