EuroMillions Lucky Stars Explained: What Do Lucky Stars Mean?
EuroMillions tickets show two extra numbers called Lucky Stars alongside the five main numbers. They are not just decoration; they shape how prizes are awarded and who lands in each prize tier.
This blog post explains what Lucky Stars are, how many are drawn, how they are selected, and how they influence prize tiers. It also covers whether Stars alone can win, how to find them on a ticket, and what happens when prizes are shared. If you choose to play, set a budget and keep it for fun.
What Are EuroMillions Lucky Stars?
In EuroMillions, Lucky Stars are two additional numbers chosen alongside the five main numbers. They come from their own pool, separate from the main draw.
Every ticket includes five main numbers and two Lucky Stars. Those Stars play a direct role in which prize tier a ticket falls into. The jackpot requires all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars. Lower tiers combine different counts of main numbers and Stars, with published prizes starting at £2.50 for matching two main numbers in the UK.
Curious how many of these Stars are in play each time?
How Many Lucky Stars Are Drawn?
In every EuroMillions draw, exactly two Lucky Star numbers are drawn from a pool of 1 to 12. Each ticket shows two Lucky Stars next to the five main numbers. You can choose them yourself or use a Lucky Dip if you prefer a random selection.
So, how are those Stars actually selected on the night?
How Are Lucky Stars Drawn?
Lucky Stars are drawn separately from the main numbers during each scheduled EuroMillions draw, which runs twice a week. Dedicated draw machines select two numbers from the Star pool of 1 to 12. The process follows strict procedures, is overseen by independent officials, and the results are published and verified before payouts are made.
With the draw mechanics clear, the next question is how those two Stars shape the prizes.
How Lucky Stars Affect Prize Tiers
The mix of main numbers and Lucky Stars on a ticket decides the prize tier. Matching Stars alongside main numbers usually moves a ticket into a higher tier than the same main-number match without Stars.
Match 5 Plus 2 Lucky Stars
Matching all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars wins the jackpot, which is the top prize available.
Match 5 Plus 1 Lucky Star
Matching five main numbers and one Lucky Star puts a ticket in the second prize tier. In recent UK draws, payouts here have been around the six-figure mark, for example, about £130,000, but amounts vary by draw.
Match Fewer Main Numbers With Lucky Stars
Other tiers are awarded for fewer main numbers combined with one or two Lucky Stars. Recent results have included approximate payouts such as:
- Four main numbers plus two Lucky Stars: £844.70
- Four main numbers plus one Lucky Star: £77.80
- Three main numbers plus two Lucky Stars: £9.10
- Three main numbers plus one Lucky Star: £7.30
- One main number plus two Lucky Stars: £4.30
- Two main numbers plus one Lucky Star: £3.60
These figures are examples and can change from draw to draw.
So, if Stars help move tickets up the tiers, what does that mean for the odds?
Do Lucky Stars Change Your Odds?
Yes. Because Lucky Stars are additional numbers from a separate pool, requiring them for many prize tiers increases the number of possible combinations. That is why the jackpot, which needs five main numbers and both Stars, has much longer odds than tiers that need fewer matches.
Matching main numbers without any Stars tends to fall into lower tiers with better odds than the jackpot, though for smaller amounts. Prizes that include Stars are generally harder to land because more numbers must line up. No outcome is ever guaranteed.
That leads to a common question.
Can You Win By Matching Only Lucky Stars?
No. Matching only the two Lucky Stars without any main numbers does not qualify for a prize. The lowest-paying combinations require at least some main numbers, such as two main numbers, or one main number plus both Lucky Stars.
How To Check Lucky Stars On Your Ticket
On a EuroMillions ticket, the two Lucky Stars appear alongside the five main numbers, often in a separate area marked with star symbols or labelled clearly. After the draw, the winning numbers are posted on the official EuroMillions pages, in the National Lottery app, and at retailers. Compare the two Stars on the ticket with the two drawn that night, and check the main numbers at the same time, as prize tiers depend on both.
If you prefer not to compare them manually, the National Lottery’s online results checker can confirm whether a ticket matches a winning combination and show any payout for that draw.
What Happens If Multiple Winners Share A Prize?
It is common for more than one ticket to match the same winning combination. When that happens, the prize fund for the relevant tier is split equally among all valid winning tickets in that tier. If several tickets match all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars, the jackpot is shared. The same principle applies across the other tiers. How much each winner receives depends on the prize fund available for that tier and the number of winners.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, support is available. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help. Understanding how Lucky Stars work makes checking results simpler and sets clear expectations before you play.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
