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Lotto Must Be Won Draws Explained
A Must Be Won draw is one where the Lotto jackpot has to be paid out. If nobody matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls down and is shared across the lower winning tiers, boosting every prize — and everyone who matches just two numbers wins £5.
What makes a draw Must Be Won
The Lotto jackpot starts at £2 million and can roll over a maximum of five times. If it still hasn’t been won, the sixth draw is declared a Must Be Won draw, and the money is guaranteed to leave the jackpot pool that night. The National Lottery also schedules occasional special-event Must Be Won draws with the same rules.
How the rolldown payouts work
If no ticket matches all six main numbers in a Must Be Won draw, the jackpot rolls down. The £5 prizes for Match 2 winners are funded first, then the rest of the rolled-down jackpot is split between the other winning tiers in set proportions and paid on top of the normal prizes. That’s why a £10 Match 3 win can be worth substantially more in a rolldown — the exact boost depends on ticket sales and how many winners there are on the night.
Must Be Won under the two-round format
Since the June 2026 changes, every Lotto draw has two rounds, and each round has its own jackpot to be won. The rollover count and the five-rollover limit still work the same way — and if a Must Be Won jackpot isn’t claimed with a Match 6 win, the rolldown shares it out rather than letting it roll again.
Why players watch for these draws
A rolldown is the one night when the lower tiers pay out more than their fixed amounts, which is why Must Be Won draws are heavily advertised and attract extra players. Your odds of matching numbers don’t change — only the prize money on offer does.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if nobody wins a Must Be Won draw?
The jackpot rolls down — it’s shared across all the lower winning tiers, boosting every prize paid that night.
What does Match 2 win in a rolldown?
£5 — a cash prize for matching two main numbers, introduced as part of the updated Must Be Won rules.
How often do Must Be Won draws happen?
Whenever the jackpot reaches its fifth rollover, making the sixth draw Must Be Won — plus occasional special-event draws.
Did the 2026 changes keep Must Be Won draws?
Yes — they were adapted for the two-round format, with the five-rollover limit unchanged and the £5 Match 2 prize added to rolldowns.
Related guides: how rollovers work, the 2026 Lotto changes and the Lotto prize breakdown.