A single lottery ticket sold in Cottonwood, California matched all Mega Millions numbers to win a $1.269 billion jackpot, marking the ninth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history and fifth-biggest Mega Millions win ever.

The winning ticket, sold at Circle K Sunshine Food and Gas on Rhonda Road, matched numbers 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and Mega Ball 6 in the December 27 drawing.

The winner can choose between:

• $1.269 billion paid over 30 years (annuity)
• $571.9 million one-time cash payment

After federal taxes (37%), the cash option would yield approximately $360.3 million. California doesn't tax lottery winnings as income, providing an advantage for the winner.

Key Details:

• Location: Cottonwood, CA (125 miles north of Sacramento)
• Claim period: One year from drawing date
• Winner privacy: California law requires public disclosure
• Store location: Circle K on Rhonda Rd., Cottonwood

The jackpot exceeded initial estimates of $1.15 billion due to strong ticket sales. California continues its streak as one of the luckiest states for Mega Millions winners, alongside New York and New Jersey, having produced the most jackpot winners since 2017.

"This is both an incredibly special moment for our winner and all the great organizations and causes that benefit from lottery ticket sales around the country," said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium.

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