EuroMillions Draw Timeline

Find out the schedule for a EuroMillions draw right here, from the cutoff time for buying tickets through to the draw taking place and the full results being announced.

EuroMillions works on a fixed calendar (Tuesday and Friday nights), so they are always the draw days even when there is a special occasion like Christmas.

The same sequence of events happens every draw night, although some of the timings below may change depending on various factors. For example, when there are a lot of tickets sold or a lot of winners, it may take longer to process all the information.

You can use this guide to make sure that you never miss out on entering a draw and know when to check if you are a winner.

Ticket Sales Close

Time: 7:30pm GMT

The deadline for buying EuroMillions tickets is 7:30pm in the UK, meaning that you can take part up until around half an hour before the draw takes place. All entries must be purchased before this time or they will not be valid for the upcoming draw.

The cut-off time is the same for everyone online and in all retailers, so there will be no flexibility even if you miss it by a few seconds. Ticket deadlines vary across the different participating countries, ranging from 6:30pm CET in Austria to 8:30 CET in Spain. Go to the Rules page to find out each one.

Draw Time

Time: 8:00pm GMT

EuroMillions draws take place at around 8:00pm to 8:10pm GMT (9:00pm to 9:10pm CET). The draw happens in Paris at the offices of French National Lottery operator Française des Jeux.

The winning numbers are drawn using two separate ball machines - one for the main numbers and one for the Lucky Stars. There are strict security procedures to ensure that everything runs smoothly, with all the equipment kept safe between draws and checked to make sure the balls are selected at random.

These procedures have been established by 'Services Aux Loteries En Europe', which is the company name for the group of national lotteries who jointly run EuroMillions.

An independent adjudicator is always present, and the draw is always filmed so that fans of the game can watch the numbers come out. In the UK, draws are shown on YouTube. You can also find the winning numbers online as soon as they are available.

Once the draw has taken place, ticket sales for the next game also resume.

Prize Amounts Announced

Time: Approximately 10pm GMT

You can find out if you are a winner as soon as the numbers have been drawn. As long as you have matched at least two main numbers, you know you will be due a prize. If you have matched all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars, you are a jackpot winner.

However, all EuroMillions prizes are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the value depends on the number of entries sold for the game and the number of winners in each tier. To find out exactly how much you have won, you need to wait for the prize breakdown to be released.

Each of the nine participating countries will reveal its own winners separately. The results time can therefore vary from draw to draw, but usually the breakdown will be out before 10pm GMT (11pm CET). This will show whether the jackpot was won, and how big the prizes were in every tier.

Prize Claim

Claim Period: Within 60 Days to 3 Years

If you have won a prize, you can then come forward to claim your money. You must collect your prize in the country where you purchased your ticket, and each participating nation has its own rules for how quickly you must stake your claim, ranging from 60 days in France to three years in Austria. In the UK, you have 180 days to collect prizes.

If the deadline for claiming your prize has passed, you will no longer be able to receive your money. You can use the Ticket Checker to see if you have won a prize from the last 180 days.

If you win the jackpot, you must contact the lottery operator in the country where you played, and you will then be guided through the rest of the process at a pace that suits you. A meeting will be arranged to verify your winning ticket, you will be paid your prize and you can decide on whether to opt for publicity or stay anonymous.

You will also be offered professional financial advice and emotional support as you come to terms with your big win. It is up to you whether you take the guidance and how long you continue to receive it.