The EuroMillions lottery reached its maximum jackpot limit of €250 million twice in 2025, marking a landmark year for the game and its network of participating countries. The record wins underscored the continued strength of Europe’s cross-border lottery model and the scale of public interest surrounding the continent’s largest jackpot.
Read more about the Euromillions jackpot and how this milestone unfolded across different countries below.
Historic Win for the EuroMillions Draw
The EuroMillions reached its cap for the first time on 28 March 2025, when a single ticket purchased in Austria secured the top prize. Less than three months later, the jackpot climbed to its limit again, finally being claimed on 17 June 2025 by a ticket holder in Ireland. The winning numbers were 13, 22, 23, 44, and 49, with Lucky Stars 3 and 5.
According to the Irish National Lottery, this was the country’s largest EuroMillions win to date and its 18th overall jackpot success. The cap had been in place since early June under the lottery’s “must-be-won” rule, which ensures the top prize is awarded once the jackpot reaches its maximum.
The June result also reinforced the unique design of EuroMillions, where participating countries contribute to a shared prize pool. It is a system that combines national participation with regional collaboration, allowing jackpots to reach levels that no single country could sustain independently.
Record Payouts and Countries Sharing the Prize
The March winner in Austria and the June winner in Ireland each claimed the full €250 million jackpot outright, as no other player matched the complete set of numbers in either draw. Although the prizes went to individuals, they represented a collective European effort: each participating country’s ticket sales contribute to the same central fund, ensuring fair odds and shared revenue across borders.
Ireland’s win surpassed its previous record of around €175 million, set in February 2019, and extended the country’s long history of success in the EuroMillions draws. Both record wins illustrated the effectiveness of the transnational system that enables Europe-wide participation while keeping strict oversight from national regulators.
The draws also sparked renewed public conversation about the scale of lottery jackpots and the processes involved in validating such high-value wins. The Irish ticket was purchased at a retail outlet in the province of Munster, and while the winner had not yet been identified publicly, officials confirmed that procedures were followed immediately to protect the ticket holder’s privacy and verify authenticity.
The EuroMillions Jackpot in Context
The €250 million figure represents the highest cap in EuroMillions history. Over the years, the jackpot limit has been raised several times, from €190 million in 2012 to €200 million in 2020, €230 million in 2022, and now €250 million. Each increase has followed consistent growth in participation and ticket sales across the continent.
In comparison, the largest Powerball jackpot in the United States currently stands at just over US $2 billion, highlighting how EuroMillions continues to compete on a global scale. During major rollovers, it is estimated that tens of millions of tickets are sold per draw, with interest spanning France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, and other participating nations.
The rising value of EuroMillions jackpots mirrors broader economic patterns seen in entertainment spending and cross-border cooperation. As digital platforms make participation easier and more transparent, the structure of modern lotteries increasingly resembles regulated financial systems with pooled liquidity, capped growth, and strict compliance oversight.
A Turning Point for Europe’s Lottery Market
The two €250 million jackpots of 2025 may represent a turning point for Europe’s regulated lottery landscape. The shared-liquidity model has proven both sustainable and adaptable, maintaining public trust through careful governance and transparent auditing. National operators such as the Irish National Lottery, Française des Jeux in France, and Camelot in the United Kingdom continue to coordinate closely within this framework, ensuring uniform standards across all jurisdictions.
For EuroMillions and its information partner, Eurolotteryjackpot, the milestone reinforces the significance of responsible gaming and public accountability. These record-breaking events demonstrate how a well-managed, cross-country lottery can maintain its integrity while attracting a broad and loyal player base.
The 2025 jackpots were more than headline figures. They showed how collaboration between countries can create scale and excitement without compromising regulation or fairness. In many ways, the €250 million wins symbolise a modern European success story, one that balances participation, oversight, and shared prosperity.
