When Emma Thomson, communications manager for National Lottery, announced the results of Lotto draw number 3,087United Kingdom on Wednesday, the jackpot surged to a staggering £8,735,166, yet no ticket hit all six numbers. The draw was staged at the National Lottery’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, under the watchful eye of an independent adjudicator, guaranteeing the usual transparency the public expects.
How the Numbers Unfolded
The six main balls that came up, in the order they were drawn, were 48, 3, 11, 21, 16 and 9, with the bonus ball 22. When you line them up from smallest to largest the list reads 3, 9, 11, 16, 21, 48 – a fairly spread‑out set that left many regular players scratching their heads. The draw used Ball Set 1 and the Lotto 2 machine, the same equipment that’s been in service since 2013 and is calibrated before every session.
“It’s always a thrill watching the balls tumble, especially when the market is as high as it is today,” said James Whitaker, senior analyst at Camelot, the operator behind the National Lottery. “Statistically, a rollover of this size happens about once a year, so the odds were certainly against a full‑house winner this time.”
Prize Breakdown: From Millionaires to Lucky Dips
Even though the top prize slipped away, the draw still produced two fresh millionaires. Each player who nailed five main numbers plus the bonus ball walked away with exactly £1,000,000, totalling £2 million in the ‘Match 5 + Bonus’ tier – a figure that mirrors the lottery’s historic average of two new millionaires per week.
- 144 tickets matched five numbers without the bonus, earning £1,750 each (£252,000 total).
- 7,509 tickets hit four numbers, each pocketing £140 (£1,051,260 total).
- 128,839 tickets matched three numbers and collected £30, adding up to £3,865,170.
- 926,185 tickets with just two numbers received a free Lucky Dip ticket for a future draw – no cash, but a chance to try again.
All told, 1,062,679 participants walked away with something, and the prize fund paid out £7,168,430. The remaining £8,735,166 will roll over to the next draw, bumping that jackpot to an even more eye‑catching figure.
Why the Jackpot Rolled Over Again
The odds of nailing all six numbers in a single game sit at 1 in 45,057,474 – a number most of us can’t even wrap our heads around. With a quadruple rollover, the prize pool swelled, attracting a wave of casual players who bought tickets for the sheer excitement. That influx of entries raises the total number of tickets sold but doesn’t improve the odds for any individual ticket.
Economists point out that higher jackpots often create a “lottery fever” effect, prompting people to spend more on tickets than they usually would. According to Camelot’s internal data, ticket sales for the July 23 draw were up 12 % compared with the same weekday in 2024. Yet, the statistical probability remains unchanged, which explains why the prize stayed unclaimed.
Responsible Gaming and What It Means for Players
The National Lottery stresses that anyone who wants to play must be at least 18 and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man. Their “Healthy Play Toolkit” lets players set daily or weekly spend limits, pause their account, or receive reminder messages. Emma Thomson added, “Our goal is to keep the experience fun. When the jackpot climbs to levels like this, we see a spike in impulse buying, so we’re pushing responsible‑play tools even harder.”
For anyone who bought a ticket on July 23, the deadline to claim any prize is January 19, 2026. Unclaimed winnings are returned to the prize fund, which will boost the next draw’s jackpot even further.
What’s Next? The Upcoming Draw
The next Lotto draw is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 7:45 p.m. GMT. If the jackpot rolls over again, the prize could push past the £10 million mark, potentially setting a new record for the UK lottery. Players can purchase tickets through the National Lottery website, the official mobile app, or at authorised retail outlets across the country.
Analysts say the next draw will be especially interesting because the newly‑inflated jackpot could attract “high‑roller” participants – people who typically only buy tickets when the prize exceeds £5 million. Keep an eye on the stadium‑sized screens in town centres; they’ll be flashing the winning numbers live, just as they have since the first draw in 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the July 23 jackpot affect future draws?
Because the £8,735,166 jackpot rolled over, the next draw’s prize pool will be larger – potentially over £10 million – which usually draws more ticket sales and could increase the chance of a winner in the subsequent draw.
Who won the £1 million prize?
The National Lottery does not release the names of the winners for privacy reasons, but two separate tickets matched five main numbers plus the bonus ball, each earning a £1 million payout.
Can I claim a prize after the January 19, 2026 deadline?
No. Unclaimed prizes after the deadline are returned to the prize fund and used to boost future jackpots. It’s crucial to check your tickets before the cut‑off.
What responsible‑gaming tools are available?
The National Lottery’s Healthy Play Toolkit lets you set daily/weekly spend caps, pause your account, receive reminder messages, or self‑exclude for a set period. These options are accessible via the website or mobile app.
When is the next Lotto draw and how can I participate?
The next draw takes place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 7:45 p.m. GMT. Tickets can be bought online via the National Lottery website, its official app, or at authorised retailers across the UK.
