TL;DR
Thunderball draws are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14. The top prize is £500,000 for matching all six. Lower-tier prizes go down to £3.
Thunderball draws are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14. The top prize is £500,000 for matching all six numbers, with lower-tier prizes going down to £3 for matching just the Thunderball.
How a Thunderball ticket works
Each Thunderball line costs £1. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball number from 1 to 14, or use a Lucky Dip for random selection. Tickets can be bought in shops, online or through the National Lottery app.
Five main numbers and one Thunderball are drawn. Matching all five main numbers plus the Thunderball wins the £500,000 top prize. Lower-tier prizes apply for matching fewer numbers.
Prize tiers in detail
Match 5 plus Thunderball wins £500,000. Match 5 wins £5,000. Match 4 plus Thunderball wins £250. Match 4 wins £100. Match 3 plus Thunderball wins £20. Match 3 wins £10. Match 2 plus Thunderball wins £10. Match 1 plus Thunderball wins £5. Match Thunderball wins £3.
Prizes are fixed rather than pari-mutuel, so the amount does not depend on the number of winners in that tier. The odds of winning the top prize are around 1 in 8 million.
Where to check results
Results are published at national-lottery.co.uk and through the National Lottery app within minutes of each draw. The Thunderball draw is broadcast on the National Lottery's video stream at national-lottery.co.uk.
Players can scan their ticket through the National Lottery app, which checks current games against the ticket and confirms any prize. Retailers can also check tickets up to the 180-day claim deadline.
Claiming a Thunderball prize
Prizes up to £500 are claimed at any National Lottery retailer. Larger prizes are claimed by post, online or in person with Allwyn. The £500,000 top prize requires an in-person appointment.
The deadline is 180 days from the draw date. Unclaimed prizes go to National Lottery good causes funded through the National Lottery Distribution Fund.
Key facts
- Draws Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
- Each line costs £1.
- Top prize £500,000.
- Odds of top prize around 1 in 8 million.
- 180 days to claim.
FAQ
When are Thunderball draws held?
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Results are published within minutes of each draw on national-lottery.co.uk and through the National Lottery app.
How much is a Thunderball ticket?
£1 per line. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14. Lucky Dip is available for random selection.
What is the top prize?
£500,000 for matching all five main numbers plus the Thunderball. The odds of winning the top prize are around 1 in 8 million.
How do I claim a Thunderball prize?
Prizes up to £500 at any National Lottery retailer. Larger prizes by post, online or in person with Allwyn. The 180-day claim deadline applies.
