A Florida lottery player claimed an $800 million Mega Millions jackpot after a ticket sold at a Bradenton Wawa matched the winning numbers on July 28, 2026, marking the largest prize in state history and the third-largest in Mega Millions history.
The Florida Lottery confirmed the winning ticket was sold at the Wawa located at 14510 State Road 70 E. in Bradenton, just east of Lakewood Ranch, ending a 37-drawing rollover streak. The jackpot-winning numbers—34-48-49-59-70 and the Mega Ball 12—were drawn on Tuesday, July 28, with the winner choosing between an annuity of $800 million or a cash payout of $344.2 million before taxes. The ticket’s sale location was revealed in multiple reports, though the winner’s identity remains undisclosed as of July 30, 2026.
Winning Ticket Location Confirmed
Florida Lottery officials identified the Bradenton Wawa as the site of the winning ticket, emphasizing the store’s location along State Road 70, a major corridor in eastern Manatee County. The store’s manager declined to comment on the win, stating, We’ve been told that we are not allowed to talk about that,
according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Wawa’s proximity to Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch made it a focal point for local media coverage, with residents expressing surprise over the win’s geographic concentration.
Local lottery players shared mixed reactions. Angie Casey, a regular at the store, said she checked her tickets after learning of the win but did not claim the prize. I literally bought my tickets there,
she told WFLA, adding she would travel the world
if she had won.
Prize Details and Options
The winner faces a critical decision: take the $800 million annuity paid in 30 annual installments or the $344.2 million cash payout.
Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald Dixon praised the win, stating, This win is an exciting reminder that every ticket carries the possibility of a dream come true.
The agency noted that the jackpot’s size reflects the game’s popularity, with the $800 million prize ranking as the third-largest in Mega Millions history and the biggest in Florida since the $1.602 billion jackpot in August 2023.
Public Reaction and Anonymity Rules
Despite the winner’s anonymity, local residents speculated about the implications of such a windfall.
Historical Context of Mega Millions Jackpots
The $800 million jackpot places Florida among the top states for lottery wins. The largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded was $1.602 billion in August 2023, won in Neptune Beach, Florida. Other notable wins include the $1.537 billion jackpot in South Carolina in 2018 and the $1.348 billion prize in Maine in 2023.
These adjustments increased the game’s appeal but also raised the odds of winning, which remain at 1 in 290,472,336, according to the Mega Millions website.
What Comes Next for the Winner?
Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot resets to $50 million for the next drawing on July 31, 2026. No other tickets matched all six numbers in the July 28 draw, though two other tickets won multimillion-dollar prizes: a $5 million win in Illinois and a $3 million win in New York.
The win underscores the lottery’s role in funding education across Florida, with the Florida Lottery noting that every ticket purchased contributes to creating brighter futures for Florida’s students.
