The National Lottery Lotto has launched a new format, offering players two chances to win with every £2 ticket. The first draw under this new system took place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The National Lottery Lotto has unveiled an exciting new format that doubles your chances to win. Starting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, each £2 ticket will be entered into two separate draws, significantly enhancing the odds of winning a prize.
This major overhaul means players can win in the first draw, the second draw, or both, all from a single line of numbers. The National Lottery operator, Allwyn, anticipates that this change will double the number of Lotto millionaires annually, from around 140 to approximately 345.
The New Two-Draw Format Explained
Under the new system, each Lotto draw consists of two rounds. Players still pick six numbers from a pool of 59 balls, but now two sets of six main numbers and a bonus ball are drawn using two separate machines.
The price per line remains at £2, and the draws continue to take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The odds of winning any prize have improved from one in 9.3 to one in 4.9. The jackpot starts at £2 million and can roll over up to five times, with a must-be-won draw on the sixth. Players can still win by matching two or more main numbers in a single round.
How to Win Big in the New Lotto Format
There are two primary ways to become a millionaire in the new Lotto format. Matching all six main numbers in either draw wins a share of the jackpot, which starts at £1 million. Alternatively, matching five main numbers plus the bonus ball secures a fixed £1 million prize. Other prize tiers remain fixed cash amounts, paid per round.
The Lotto HotPicks add-on game, priced at £1, will also follow the new two-round format. This means players have even more opportunities to win additional prizes with their Lotto ticket.
Thunderball Draw and Ticket Purchase
The Thunderball draw, offering a top prize of £500,000, will also take place tonight, following the Lotto draws. Players have until 7.30pm to purchase their tickets, either online via the National Lottery website or at retailers across the United Kingdom.
The Lotto draw is scheduled for around 8pm, with the Thunderball results being drawn at around 8.15pm. Tonight’s draw marks the first time the new format is in effect, providing players with enhanced chances to win life-changing prizes.
Since its inception on November 19, 1994, the UK National Lottery has distributed substantial funds beyond its winners. Around half of all ticket sales go towards prizes, while 28% supports good causes. The remainder is split between government duty (12%), retailers (5%), and the operator (5%).
