Full Breakdown of UK and International Lottery Results

Lottery results are a central point of interest for players across the UK and Europe. From national games like Lotto and Thunderball to international offerings such as EuroMillions, keeping track of outcomes is key for anyone participating. This article provides a detailed overview of current and recent results, prize structures, and draw schedules. It also explains how to check tickets and claim winnings, whether playing online or in-store.

National Lottery Results Today

The National Lottery offers various draws throughout the week, with different prize structures and formats. Here are the latest results from the main lottery games available to players across the UK.

Lotto Results - Main Draw Numbers

The most recent Lotto draw took place on Wednesday 21st May, revealing the following winning combination:

• Main Numbers: 5, 6, 16, 20, 30, 36 

• Bonus Ball: 2

Players who match all six main numbers win the jackpot, while those matching five numbers plus the Bonus Ball claim the second-tier prize. The upcoming Lotto draw scheduled for Saturday 24th offers an attractive jackpot of £3.8 Million.

Lotto draws operate twice weekly according to this schedule:

• Wednesday evenings - minimum jackpot of £2 million

• Saturday evenings - minimum jackpot of £3.8 million

The current Lotto format was introduced in October 2015, when the number of balls increased to 59, making the game more challenging but offering larger potential prizes.

Thunderball Results - Latest Numbers

Thunderball offers more frequent chances to win with draws held three times weekly. Unlike the Lotto, Thunderball features a fixed jackpot of £500,000 that does not roll over if there are no winners in a particular draw. This creates a consistent top prize opportunity regardless of previous draw outcomes.

The Thunderball draw schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday evening

• Friday evening

• Saturday evening

With a £1 entry cost and fixed prizes at all levels, Thunderball represents a popular alternative to the main Lotto draw, particularly for players who prefer more frequent draws and consistent prize structures.

Set For Life Results - Latest Draw

The Set For Life game offers a unique proposition among National Lottery games, with winners receiving regular payments rather than a one-time lump sum. The top prize delivers £10,000 every month for 30 years, creating long-term financial stability for winners.

Set For Life draws take place twice weekly:

• Monday evening

• Thursday evening

This innovative prize structure has proven popular with players seeking sustained winnings rather than a single large payment, effectively offering a decade-long second income for the fortunate winners.

EuroMillions Results

EuroMillions stands as one of Europe's most popular lottery games, offering substantial jackpots and creating numerous millionaires since its inception. This transnational lottery operates across nine European countries, including the United Kingdom, and has produced the UK's largest lottery wins to date. The draws occur twice weekly, giving players multiple opportunities to win life-changing sums of money.

EuroMillions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 20:45, following a straightforward format:

• Players select 5 main numbers from 1-50

• Players also choose 2 Lucky Stars from 1-12

• To win the jackpot, all 7 numbers must match the draw

• The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 139,838,160

The game starts with a guaranteed minimum jackpot of €17 million, which can grow substantially through rollovers when no player matches all numbers. The EuroMillions jackpot is capped at €200 million, with this cap increasing by €10 million whenever the maximum prize is won. This progressive cap structure allows for potentially larger jackpots over time, making the game increasingly attractive to players across participating countries.

The record for the UK's biggest lottery win was set on October 8, 2019, when a fortunate ticket holder claimed an astonishing £170.2 million from the EuroMillions game. This record-breaking win exemplifies the life-changing potential of the game, with all of the UK's largest lottery prizes historically coming from EuroMillions rather than other national lottery games.

Regional and International Lottery Results

Lottery games extend beyond national boundaries, with various draws taking place daily across different regions and countries. This section highlights key lottery results from Ireland, the UK Postcode system, and major international lotteries in the US and Europe.

Irish Lottery Results

Ireland’s national game is one of the longest-running in Europe, featuring frequent draws and generous jackpots. Results are typically posted on the official website shortly after each event. Players can also access current and historical outcomes through various online platforms and agent sites that support international participation.

Postcode Lottery Results

The People's Postcode Lottery launched in the UK in 2005, offering a unique approach where participants enter using their postcode rather than selecting numbers. Players contribute a monthly subscription fee of £10, £20, or £30 for up to three entries in each draw. Draws occur daily, with winning postcodes published on the official website. The organization announces the type of daily draw, prize structure, and potential winnings at the beginning of each month, providing transparency for participants.

US and European Lottery Results

The lottery landscape extends well beyond regional boundaries, with several notable games available across multiple countries:

• EuroMillions operates across nine European countries including the UK, offering substantial jackpots

• National Lottery games can be played from overseas via selected lottery agent websites

• The Health Lottery games are accessible to international players through specific online platforms

• 49's represents a UK-specific lottery option available primarily through betting shops

How to Check Your Lottery Tickets

Confirming your entry results is an essential step after each draw. There are several ways to check if you’ve won, using both digital and in-person tools.

Online Checking Tools and Apps

Most major operators offer digital solutions for checking results:

• The National Lottery provides both a mobile website and dedicated app where players can verify their tickets quickly

• The Health Lottery offers a mobile-friendly website and app available on both iTunes and Google Play stores

• 49s Limited maintains a mobile website and app for result checking, though ticket purchases cannot be made directly through their app

• The People's Postcode Lottery has a functional mobile website, with an app that was in development as of July 2020

For online players, winnings are typically paid directly into registered accounts, though larger amounts may require additional verification checks. The People's Postcode Lottery takes a more proactive approach by notifying winners via email and text message.

In-Store Verification Options

Physical retail locations remain a popular option for checking lottery tickets:

• Smaller lottery prizes can be verified and claimed directly from authorized retailers

• Retail verification is often quick and allows for immediate payment of smaller prizes

• Store assistants can scan tickets using specialized equipment to confirm winning numbers

• In-store checking provides a reliable alternative for players who prefer not to use digital methods

When visiting a retailer, simply present your ticket to the staff member who will scan it to determine if you've won. This method is particularly useful for players who purchased physical tickets rather than playing online.

Winning and Prize Breakdown

Lottery games offer various prizes across different tiers, with specific rules for claiming winnings within designated timeframes. Understanding the structure of these prizes helps players recognize their potential returns and claim procedures.

Understanding Prize Tiers

The UK Lotto features a structured prize system with fixed amounts for most categories. Players matching three numbers receive £30, four numbers earn £140, and five numbers win £1,750. The higher tiers offer more substantial rewards: matching five numbers plus the Bonus Ball results in a £1 million prize, while matching all six main numbers wins the jackpot. Overall odds of winning any Lotto prize stand at 1 in 9.3.

In special "Must Be Won" draws where no player matches all six numbers, the jackpot amount is distributed among other prize tiers in what's called a 'jackpot rolldown'. During these rolldowns, even Match 2 winners benefit, receiving £5 plus a free Lucky Dip, while other prize categories receive additional percentages of the unclaimed jackpot.

Claiming Your Winnings

UK lottery winnings are tax-free for domestic players, offering the full advertised prize amount without deductions. However, players from overseas may need to declare their winnings for tax purposes in their home countries according to local regulations. For significant prizes, winners should contact the lottery operator directly through official channels rather than visiting retailers.

Deadlines for Claiming Prizes

All National Lottery games, including the Health Lottery, impose a strict 180-day deadline for claiming prizes. This six-month window begins from the draw date, after which unclaimed prizes are typically transferred to lottery-supported good causes. Players should check their tickets promptly after draws and follow the appropriate claiming procedure based on prize amount to avoid missing this deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ever won the Lotto?

The sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 has never won the UK National Lottery. While theoretically this combination has the same probability as any other, the odds of matching all 6 numbers in the Lotto are incredibly slim at 1 in 45,057,474. Consecutive sequences are statistically no less likely to appear than random combinations.

What are the 6 most common winning numbers in the UK?

The UK National Lottery does not officially identify any numbers as more frequent winners. Statistically, every number has the same likelihood of being selected, regardless of past outcomes. The draw process is entirely random, meaning no combination has a better chance than another, even if certain patterns appear more often to players.

How much do you get for three numbers?

Matching three numbers on the UK Lotto results in a fixed payout of £30. This is one of the most frequently awarded prize tiers, and the amount stays the same regardless of how many players win or the jackpot total.

What do you win for 2 numbers and a bonus ball?

There is no payout for matching two main numbers plus the Bonus Ball. However, players do receive a free Lucky Dip entry when two main numbers are matched. The Bonus Ball only impacts the prize amount when five main numbers are also correct, significantly increasing the reward.

How long do I have to claim a prize?

Winners in the UK have 180 days (about six months) from the date of the draw to claim their rewards. After this deadline, unclaimed funds are transferred to the Good Causes Fund, which helps support various community initiatives across the country.

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets are available at licensed retailers, including newsagents, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout the UK. They can also be purchased online through the official National Lottery platform. International participants may use approved lottery agent websites that buy tickets on their behalf. The minimum age to play is 16 for most games, though some, like 49's, require players to be 18 or older.