A lucky New Jersey lottery player just claimed a $90 million Mega Millions jackpot from a ticket purchased at Garden State News in Union City. The win marked the shortest jackpot run in over two years, requiring just five drawings to determine a winner. This represents the sixth Mega Millions jackpot won in 2025.
🔥 Quick Facts
- $90 million jackpot won on December 2, 2025, drawing
- Winning numbers: 17, 25, 26, 53, 60, Mega Ball 16
- Ticket purchased at Garden State News, 4024 Bergenline Avenue, Union City
- Shortest jackpot run since August 2023, requiring only five drawings
How the Union City Winner Claimed Victory
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The winning ticket was purchased on the evening of November 30, 2025, at Garden State News, a lottery stand located in Hudson County. The ticket matched all six numbers drawn in the December 2 drawing, instantly transforming its holder into a nine-figure winner. Store owner Krish Patel received a $30,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Winners of prizes exceeding $599.99 must file a claim form through the New Jersey Lottery. For jackpots this size, winners should contact the state lottery at (800) 222-0996 to arrange an appointment. The winner must decide between accepting annual payments or choosing the lump-sum cash option.
Quick Turnaround Sets Record for 2025
| Prize Detail | Amount |
| Jackpot Prize | $90,000,000 |
| Cash Option Value | $41.9 million |
| Retailer Bonus | $30,000 |
| Drawings Until Win | Five drawings |
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This victory marks an exceptionally fast resolution to the Mega Millions jackpot chase. According to official Mega Millions records, the previous shortest jackpot run occurred in August 2023, when a Florida ticket won a $39 million prize just two drawings after another Florida winner. Mega Millions, the national game spanning multiple states, increased ticket prices to $5 in April 2025 alongside improvements to odds.
Sixth Jackpot Winner in a Record-Breaking Year
The New Jersey win represents the sixth Mega Millions jackpot claimed during 2025. Earlier winners claimed prizes including $112 million in Arizona on January 17 and $349 million in Illinois on March 25. The frequency of winners this year has exceeded historical averages for the game.
Lottery officials attributed the increased winning pace to rule changes implemented in April 2025. The overhaul included better odds for players and a minimum jackpot that doubled from $20 million to $50 million. These modifications aimed to create more frequent winners while building larger guaranteed starting jackpots.
Garden State News’ Lucky Streak Continues
The Union City location represents one of New Jersey’s most prolific winning lottery retailers. According to ABC 7 New York, this marks the eighth Mega Millions jackpot ticket sold at Garden State News since 2018. The convenience store has become known among lottery enthusiasts as a particularly fortunate location for purchasing winning tickets.
Recent lottery history shows another Mega Millions ticket worth $100,000 was sold in October 2025 at a different Union City retailer on the same Bergenline Avenue. The concentration of significant lottery wins in this Hudson County area has attracted regional interest from players seeking lucky purchase locations.
What Should Lottery Winners Know About Prize Claims?
Winners of jackpots exceeding $100,000 must schedule appointments with New Jersey Lottery officials to submit claims in person. The winner can make this arrangement by calling 1-800-222-0996. Winners should bring identification, sign the back of the winning ticket, and prepare documentation for tax purposes.
The New Jersey winner faces an important decision between two payout options. The annuity option provides the full $90 million distributed over 29 annual payments, while the cash option offers an immediate lump sum of $41.9 million before taxes. Both options face federal and state income tax withholding, with New Jersey imposing additional state lottery taxes on jackpot winnings.
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.