How often is 1 drawn in Mega Millions?
Since October 31, 2017, when Mega Millions’ current rules took effect (5 numbers from 1–70), number 1 has been drawn 64 times in 939 draws — tied for 45th most often of 70; across all 2,433 draws since May 17, 2002 it has come up 178 times, tied 49th of 52.
Data: 2,433 draws, May 17, 2002 – October 27, 2026; updated October 27, 2026.
That is 3.1 fewer than the 67.1 a number would average from the matrix alone (5% below).
How long has 1 gone without being drawn?
The longest 1 has gone without being drawn is 78 draws, between its appearances on July 23, 2019 and April 24, 2020. Its current gap is 16 draws, longer than its average gap of 12.4 draws between appearances. A long gap doesn’t make a number due in Mega Millions: each draw starts fresh. Its longest streak was 3 consecutive draws on record, from July 1, 2008 to July 8, 2008. Its first appearance in the record was on September 20, 2002.
Which numbers are drawn most often with 1?
Since October 31, 2017, 1 has been drawn alongside 25 more often than with any other number (8 times), followed by 17 (7), 20 (7), 40 (7), 5 (6). 41 and 53 have never been drawn alongside 1 in that period.
1 in Mega Millions, year by year
Its busiest year was 2018, drawn 16 times in 104 draws (1st that year); its quietest was 2019, twice in 105 draws (tied 68th).
| Year | Times 1 drawn | Rank that year | Draws held |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | tied 41st | 86 |
| 2025 | 7 | tied 33rd | 104 |
| 2024 | 7 | tied 34th | 105 |
| 2023 | 6 | tied 46th | 104 |
| 2022 | 8 | tied 25th | 104 |
| 2021 | 6 | tied 43rd | 105 |
| 2020 | 4 | tied 62nd | 104 |
| 2019 | 2 | tied 68th | 105 |
| 2018 | 16 | 1st | 104 |
| 2017 | 5 | tied 31st | 74 |
| 2016 | 8 | tied 8th | 75 |
| 2015 | 2 | tied 64th | 74 |
| 2014 | 5 | tied 35th | 80 |
| 2013 | 11 | tied 10th | 100 |
| 2012 | 7 | tied 38th | 104 |
| 2011 | 9 | tied 25th | 104 |
| 2010 | 8 | tied 35th | 105 |
| 2009 | 5 | tied 51st | 104 |
| 2008 | 9 | tied 25th | 105 |
| 2007 | 8 | tied 38th | 104 |
| 2006 | 9 | tied 26th | 104 |
| 2005 | 7 | tied 42nd | 104 |
| 2004 | 8 | tied 34th | 105 |
| 2003 | 14 | tied 5th | 104 |
| 2002 | 2 | tied 50th | 66 |
When was 1 last drawn?
Number 1 was last drawn on Tue, Sep 1, 2026 (16 draws ago); the winning numbers that night were 1, 22, 51, 61, 63, Mega Ball 17. All Mega Millions results for 2026.
The draws before that with 1: Aug 21, 2026; Aug 11, 2026; May 26, 2026; Apr 21, 2026; Dec 19, 2025.
1 as the Mega Ball
As the Mega Ball (drawn from a separate 1–24 pool), 1 has come up 41 times in 903 draws since October 31, 2017 — tied 5th of 24, most recently on September 18, 2026.
1 by draw day
Across the full record, 1 has come up 93 times in 1,210 Tuesday draws and 85 times in 1,223 Friday draws.
These are counts of past Mega Millions draws. Every draw is independent and random: no number is “due”, and none of these figures changes the chance of 1 being drawn next.
Cite this: Lottizen, "How often is 1 drawn in Mega Millions?," updated October 27, 2026, https://lottizen.com/usa/mega-millions/number/1. Data: Lottizen (lottizen.com), free to use with credit.