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The New Two-Round Lotto Format Explained
From 7 June 2026, every £2 Lotto line is entered into two separate draws — Round 1 and Round 2 — giving you two chances to win for the same price. Here's exactly how it works.
Two draws, one ticket
Each Wednesday and Saturday draw now uses two separate draw machines to produce two sets of six main numbers and a Bonus Ball. Your single line is checked against both. You can win in Round 1, Round 2, or both rounds from the same numbers, all for the unchanged £2 price.
The improved odds
The change improves your chance of winning any prize from 1 in 9.3 to 1 in 4.9 — a significant jump — and is expected to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires, from around 140 a year to around 345.
The trade-off
Some lower-tier prizes were reduced to fund the extra round: Match 3 is now £10, Match 4 £50, Match 5 £1,000, and Match 2 pays £1 (previously a free Lucky Dip). The jackpot still starts at £2m and is shared across both rounds. For the full table see the Lotto prize breakdown, and for the wider picture, the 2026 Lotto changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the two-round Lotto format?
From 7 June 2026, each £2 line is entered into two separate draws (Round 1 and Round 2), giving two chances to win.
Does it cost more?
No — the price stays £2 per line.
Can I win in both rounds?
Yes — the same line can win in Round 1, Round 2, or both.
Related guides: the 2026 Lotto changes, the Lotto prize breakdown and Must Be Won draws.