When National Lottery held the Thunderball draw United Kingdom on Saturday, 20 September 2025, the jackpot of £500,000 went unclaimed, yet more than £828,000 was distributed among 138,413 lucky players. The live broadcast, streamed by the National Lottery Channel at 11:15 PM UTC, featured an independent adjudicator overseeing the Excalibur 1 machine and Ball Set 2. Anyone 18 or older residing in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man could have bought a ticket, meaning the draw touched a massive cross‑section of the UK gambling community.
How the Numbers Came Out
The presenter opened the YouTube stream with the familiar tagline, then called out the five main balls in ascending order: 1, 6, 12, 26, 28, followed by the Thunderball 6. The draw was logged as Draw Number 3,769, and the official record on the National Lottery website confirms the same sequence. No ticket matched all five main numbers plus the Thunderball, so the top prize rolled over to the next Thunderball draw.
Prize Breakdown – Who Walked Away With What
Even without a jackpot winner, the prize pool was generous. Two players hit all five main numbers (but missed the Thunderball) and pocketed £5,000 each. A further 57 matched four main numbers plus the Thunderball for £250 apiece, while 486 players who hit four main numbers alone earned £100 each. The mid‑tier categories saw 1,460 winners taking home £20 and 16,887 players walking away with £10 for matching three main numbers.
- Two winners – £5,000 each (£10,000 total)
- 57 winners – £250 each (£14,250 total)
- 486 winners – £100 each (£48,600 total)
- 1,460 winners – £20 each (£29,200 total)
- 16,887 winners – £10 each (£168,870 total)
- 14,351 winners – £10 each (two numbers + Thunderball) (£143,510 total)
- 49,438 winners – £5 each (one number + Thunderball) (£247,190 total)
- 55,732 winners – £3 each (Thunderball only) (£167,196 total)
All told, 138,413 tickets earned something, bringing the total payout for the draw to £828,816. Winners have until 19 March 2026 to claim – a deadline clearly listed on the draw’s results page.
How Players Verified Their Tickets
Checking results is easier than ever. The National Lottery app pushes notifications straight to your phone, while the website’s dedicated “Thunderball Results Archive” lets you scroll back through every draw of 2025. For those who prefer a visual confirmation, the YouTube channel re‑uploads the full 1‑minute‑46‑second clip, complete with on‑screen graphics highlighting each ball as it lands.
Regulatory Framework and Responsible Play
The draw operates under the UK Gambling Commission’s strict Games Rules and Procedures. Players must be 18 or older and physically located within the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man – a rule enforced by geo‑location checks on the app and website. In addition, the National Lottery promotes safe gambling through its "Healthy Play Toolkit," available on the same site and via a dedicated National Lottery Healthy Play Toolkit page. The toolkit offers self‑exclusion options, budgeting advice, and links to professional counseling services.
What This Means for Future Draws
With the jackpot rolling over, the next Thunderball draw will start at a higher prize pool, which historically spurs a bump in ticket sales. Analysts at The Lottery Research Institute predict a 12‑15 % increase in participation for the next draw, especially after the recent publicity from the massive winner count. The roll‑over also puts pressure on the National Lottery to keep the game fresh – they’ve hinted at new promotional bundles on social media next month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I claim a Thunderball prize after the draw?
Prizes can be claimed through any authorised National Lottery retailer, via the official app, or by mailing a claim form to the National Lottery’s headquarters. You’ll need the ticket, a valid ID, and proof of residence in the UK or Isle of Man. The claim window closes on 19 March 2026.
What happens to the £500,000 jackpot when no one wins?
The jackpot rolls over to the next Thunderball draw, adding to that draw’s prize fund. This carry‑over mechanism is designed to keep the game enticing and can lead to larger jackpots in subsequent weeks.
Are there any restrictions on who can play Thunderball?
Yes. Players must be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man at the time of purchase. The National Lottery uses geo‑location checks for online purchases and requires retailers to verify ID for in‑store sales.
Where can I find the official Thunderball results?
The official results are posted on the National Lottery’s website (under the Thunderball Results Archive), displayed in the National Lottery app, and streamed on the National Lottery Channel’s YouTube page. Each listing includes draw number, date, winning numbers, and prize breakdown.
What resources does the National Lottery offer for responsible gambling?
The Healthy Play Toolkit provides budgeting tools, self‑exclusion options, and links to charities like GamCare. Players can access it via the National Lottery website or directly through the app’s "Responsible Gaming" section.
