Premium Bonds Prize Checker: April 2026 Results, Winners & How to Check
The April 2026 Premium Bonds draw paid out £376m across 5.9 million prizes. The two £1m jackpots went to holders in Hampshire & Isle of Wight and Surrey.
The NS&I Premium Bonds prize checker opens every month on the day after the first working day — and for millions of UK savers, it's a monthly ritual. April 2026 saw the draw's first results under the new lower prize fund rate of 3.3%, with nearly six million prizes paid out. This guide tells you exactly how to check, who won, what the new odds mean for your money, and whether Premium Bonds remain a competitive place to keep your savings.
How to Check Your Premium Bonds Prize (April 2026)
There are four ways to check whether you've won in the latest draw. Large prizes (£5,000 and above) are announced on the first working day of each month. Smaller prizes (£25–£1,000) become available the following day — which for April 2026 was 2 April.
| Method | What You Need | Link / Where |
|---|---|---|
| NS&I website prize checker | Your holder's number | nsandi.com/prize-checker |
| NS&I app | Holder's number or NS&I number | Available on iOS and Android |
| Alexa voice check | Amazon Echo linked to NS&I account | "Alexa, have I won a Premium Bond?" |
| Email / text notification | Must be opted in online | Set up via your NS&I online account |
April 2026 Premium Bonds Winners: Who Won?
The Two £1 Million Jackpot Winners
| Winner | Bond Number | Location | Bond Purchased | Total Holding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner 1 | 511HH360429 | Hampshire & Isle of Wight | August 2022 | £50,000 (maximum) |
| Winner 2 | 519FV988513 | Surrey | November 2022 | £50,000 (maximum) |
Both winners held the maximum £50,000 in Premium Bonds and purchased their winning bonds in late 2022. As is tradition, each was visited by NS&I's "Agent Million" — a representative who delivers the news of a jackpot win in person before the results go public.
Notably, the winning bond in the Surrey case was valued at just £5,000 of the total £50,000 holding — a reminder that it is individual bond numbers, not the total holding, that win prizes. Every £1 bond has an equal chance regardless of value or when it was purchased.
April 2026 Prize Breakdown
| Prize Value | Number of Prizes |
|---|---|
| £1,000,000 | 2 |
| £100,000 | 71 (down from 78 in March) |
| £50,000 | 143 (down from 154) |
| £25,000 | 285 (down from 311) |
| £10,000 | 574 |
| £5,000 | 1,148 |
| £1,000 | 18,766 |
| £500 | 56,298 |
| £100 | 2,007,943 |
| £50 | 2,007,943 |
| £25 | ~1.8 million (majority of all prizes) |
| Total prizes | 5,951,866 worth £376,455,425 |
Big News: NS&I Cuts Prize Rate to 3.3% — What It Means for You
The April 2026 draw was the first to operate under NS&I's new lower prize fund rate of 3.3%, down from 3.6% in March. The odds of any single £1 bond winning a prize also worsened — from 22,000 to 1 to 23,000 to 1. This is the latest in a series of reductions that have taken the rate from a peak of 4.65% in late 2023 down to its current level.
In practical terms, the cut means:
| Holding | Old Rate (3.6%) — Average Annual Return | New Rate (3.3%) — Average Annual Return |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | £36/year | £33/year |
| £10,000 | £360/year | £330/year |
| £50,000 (max) | £1,800/year | £1,650/year |
NS&I CEO Resignation: What Happened?
The rate cut landed alongside significant institutional turbulence at NS&I. In the run-up to the April draw, the organisation faced criticism over its handling of prize payments to bereaved families of Premium Bond holders. NS&I apologised publicly for failures in administering payouts in bereavement cases, which had resulted in a government intervention. Chief executive Dax Harkins subsequently resigned following the controversy — adding reputational pressure to an institution already under scrutiny for its falling prize rates.
Over £118 Million in Unclaimed Prizes — Could Some Be Yours?
One of the most compelling reasons to use the NS&I prize checker is to search for old prizes. As of April 2026, there are 2,754,285 unclaimed Premium Bond prizes worth £118,216,175 sitting in NS&I accounts. Prizes never expire — they can be claimed as far back as the very first draw in 1957.
Prizes go unclaimed for several common reasons:
- The bondholder moved house and NS&I holds an old address
- Bonds were purchased decades ago and forgotten
- The bondholder is elderly or has died and family members are unaware of the bonds
- Prize notifications are going to an old email address or are being filtered as spam
- Bonds were gifted (often to children) and never registered online
Research by Quilter found that first-time winners waited an average of 3.1 years before receiving their first prize — so if you have not won recently, do not assume your bonds are not active. They remain entered in every monthly draw until you cash them in.
Are Premium Bonds Still Worth It After the Rate Cut?
With the prize fund rate now at 3.3% and the best easy-access savings accounts paying over 4% AER, the straightforward mathematical answer is that Premium Bonds are no longer the highest-returning place for most savers to keep their cash. However, the comparison is more nuanced than a rate table suggests.
When Premium Bonds Still Make Sense
- Higher-rate taxpayers: Interest on savings accounts is taxable. Premium Bond prizes are 100% tax-free. For a 40% taxpayer, a 3.3% tax-free prize rate is equivalent to a 5.5% taxable rate — beating most standard savings accounts.
- Additional-rate taxpayers: The effective equivalent rises higher still — making Premium Bonds genuinely competitive for the highest earners.
- Savers above the PSA: Basic-rate taxpayers have a £1,000 Personal Savings Allowance; higher-rate taxpayers have £500. Once your savings interest exceeds this, you pay income tax on the excess. Premium Bond prizes bypass this entirely.
- Savers with over £85,000: NS&I is backed by HM Treasury with 100% protection on all balances — unlike FSCS-protected banks which only guarantee up to £85,000 per institution.
- Those who value liquidity: Premium Bonds can be cashed in at any time with no penalties — unlike fixed-rate bonds which lock your money away for 2–5 years.
When Premium Bonds Are Not the Best Choice
- Basic-rate taxpayers with less than £20,000–£30,000 in savings (well within PSA — savings account interest will be tax-free anyway)
- Savers who cannot afford any unpredictability in returns (Premium Bonds offer zero guaranteed return)
- Those who need consistent income rather than lump-sum prizes
Premium Bonds Draw Dates 2026
| Draw Month | Big Prizes Announced | All Results Available |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 1 April 2026 | 2 April 2026 ✓ |
| May 2026 | 1 May 2026 | 2 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 1 June 2026 | 2 June 2026 |
| July 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 2 July 2026 |
| August 2026 | 3 August 2026 | 4 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 1 September 2026 | 2 September 2026 |
| October 2026 | 1 October 2026 | 2 October 2026 |
| November 2026 | 2 November 2026 | 3 November 2026 |
| December 2026 | 1 December 2026 | 2 December 2026 |
Our Verdict — April 2026
The April 2026 draw paid out £376 million across 5.9 million prizes — but it was the first under a lower prize rate of 3.3% and longer odds of 23,000 to 1. For basic-rate taxpayers with modest savings, Premium Bonds no longer compete with the best easy-access accounts on pure returns. For higher-rate taxpayers, those above the FSCS limit, or those who value full capital security and liquidity, they remain a legitimate and compelling option. Whatever your view, check the prize checker — especially for old or forgotten bonds. Over £118 million in prizes is sitting unclaimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my Premium Bonds prize?
Visit nsandi.com/prize-checker and enter your holder's number. Alternatively, use the NS&I app (iOS and Android), ask Alexa if your Echo device is linked to your NS&I account, or set up email notifications in your online account so you're alerted automatically each month.
Who won the April 2026 Premium Bonds £1 million jackpot?
Two jackpot winners were announced. The first holds bond number 511HH360429, is based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and purchased the winning bond in August 2022. The second holds bond number 519FV988513, is based in Surrey, and purchased the winning bond in November 2022. Both held the maximum £50,000.
What are the current Premium Bonds odds of winning?
From April 2026, the odds of any single £1 bond winning a prize are 23,000 to 1 — worsened from 22,000 to 1 in the previous draw. The prize fund rate is 3.3%, down from 3.6%.
How many unclaimed Premium Bond prizes are there?
As of April 2026, there are 2,754,285 unclaimed prizes worth £118,216,175. Prizes never expire and can be claimed dating back to the first draw in 1957. Check your holder's number on the NS&I prize checker, or call NS&I on 08085 007 007 if you have lost your number.
Are Premium Bonds worth it after the rate cut to 3.3%?
It depends on your tax position. For basic-rate taxpayers with modest savings, the best easy-access accounts paying 4%+ are likely more rewarding. For higher and additional-rate taxpayers whose savings interest would be taxed, Premium Bonds' tax-free prizes offer a meaningful advantage. For anyone above the £85,000 FSCS limit, NS&I's 100% Treasury-backed guarantee is also a distinct benefit.
When is the next Premium Bonds draw?
The May 2026 draw will announce its £1 million jackpot winners on 1 May 2026. All smaller prizes will be available to check via the NS&I prize checker from 2 May 2026.
What is the maximum you can hold in Premium Bonds?
The maximum holding is £50,000 per person. The minimum investment is £25. You can buy Premium Bonds for children under 16 from as little as £25 — and they could win up to £1 million tax-free.
What is ERNIE?
ERNIE stands for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment. It is the computer system NS&I uses to generate the winning bond numbers in each monthly draw. ERNIE has run every Premium Bonds draw since the scheme launched in 1957, and generates millions of random winning numbers each month.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Premium Bonds are a government-backed savings product. Prize returns are not guaranteed. Always verify results directly via the official NS&I prize checker at nsandi.com before making financial decisions.
Last updated: 2 April 2026 · Author: Chandraketu Tripathi · Sources: NS&I, MoneyWeek, MoneySavingExpert, Yahoo Finance, NS&I Corporate
