New Jersey carpenter claims $2 million prize Drawing Date: 10/6/2026 October 29, 2026 - An Ocean County, N.J., carpenter claimed a $2 million Mega Millions prize after matching all five white balls in the Oct. 6 drawing. His ticket, purchased at the Country Food Market, 941 Route 9 in Bayville, came within one number of winning the $345 million jackpot. The winner, a regular lottery player, purchased his tickets at Country Food Market, 941 Route 9 in Bayville. He usually checks the tickets the day after each drawing and restocks. Previous wins have never exceeded $1,500. His Quick Pick had the winning numbers 26, 32, 42, 51 and 54, with 21 as the Mega Ball. All five white balls matched the winning numbers. The winning Mega Ball was 22, just one digit away from the full jackpot. When he checked his ticket on Oct. 8, he was shocked to see all five white balls matched for a $1 million prize. Then he noticed the 2X multiplier had doubled his winnings to $2 million. He said he studied the ticket and still could not believe he won the Mega Million prize. “I still don’t believe it,” he said when claiming his prize at Lottery Headquarters with his wife. The couple celebrated at home that evening, talking about their good fortune for hours and sharing the news with their dog, who they trusted to keep their secret. The winner said he had a hard time sleeping that night and headed to work the next morning as usual. He plans to pay off his mortgage and complete some home remodeling projects. Retirement, however, is not in the cards. “I am not going to sit around,” he said. “I love to work. Building things with my own hands is who I am.” About the New Jersey Lottery Since its inception in 1970, the Lottery has contributed over $35.7 billion to the State, helping to support many worthwhile programs and services. Lottery profits currently help bolster the public employee pension system under a 30-year agreement signed into law in 2017.