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New Lotto Changes 2026: Everything That's Different
The UK National Lottery made some of its biggest changes ever in 2026. Here's a clear rundown of what's different and what it means for players.
The two-round Lotto format
From 7 June 2026, each £2 Lotto line enters two separate draws, giving two chances to win. This improved the odds of any prize from 1 in 9.3 to 1 in 4.9. Lotto still draws Wednesday and Saturday, still 6 numbers from 59, still £2. For detail see the new two-round Lotto format.
The prize changes
| Match | Old prize | New prize |
|---|---|---|
| Match 2 | Free Lucky Dip | £1 |
| Match 3 | £30 | £10 |
| Match 4 | ~£140 | £50 |
| Match 5 | £1,750 | £1,000 |
| Match 5 + Bonus | £1m | £1m |
So you win more often, but several smaller wins are worth less. For the complete current table, see the Lotto prize breakdown.
The National Lottery changes 2026 at a glance
The new rules apply UK-wide — across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ticket sales under the new format began on Sunday 7 June 2026, and the first two-round draw was held on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The price of a line is unchanged at £2. Allwyn expects the format to more than double the number of Lotto millionaires each year, from around 140 to roughly 345. Must Be Won draws remain — the jackpot still rolls over a maximum of five times before it has to be won on the sixth — and the rolldown now pays £5 to everyone who matches two numbers. Lotto HotPicks was updated at the same time, with every £1 line now entered into both rounds and its fixed prizes halved to match. Millionaire Raffles are also returning as occasional special draws.
The new Powerball game
Alongside Lotto, a UK version of Powerball launches in summer 2026 — £4 a line, jackpots potentially over £1bn. See the new UK Powerball for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
What changed for Lotto in 2026?
From 7 June 2026 it moved to a two-round format, improving the chance of any prize from 1 in 9.3 to 1 in 4.9, with some lower-tier prizes reduced.
When did the National Lottery changes start?
Ticket sales under the new rules began on Sunday 7 June 2026, and the first two-round draw took place on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The changes apply UK-wide.
Did prizes go down?
Some did — Match 3 fell to £10, Match 4 to £50, Match 5 to £1,000, and Match 2 became £1.
Did the jackpot change?
No — it still starts at £2m and Match 5 + Bonus still pays £1m.
Related guides: the new two-round Lotto format, the new UK Powerball and the Lotto prize breakdown.