The Illinois Lottery is giving away hundreds of free tickets for the massive Mega Millions drawing Friday in downtown Chicago.

The Mega Millions jackpot reached a whopping $548 million, the third largest prize in the game's history and the ninth largest jackpot of all time in the U.S.

To celebrate, the Illinois Lottery is giving away 548 free tickets between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at a lottery retailer in the city's Loop.

The giveaway will be at Marquette Newsstand, located at 140 S. Dearborn St., lottery officials said in a statement.

The lucky winner can choose to spread their payments out or take a lump sum option of a $309 million cash payment.

Mega Millions tickets cost $2 and have odds of 1 in 302.6 million to win the jackpot. Players must select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 25.

Last won on July 24, the jackpot has grown for 22 consecutive games and reached the massive prize after no winning tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Oct. 9.

The Powerball jackpot, also scheduled to be drawn Friday, is up to $314 million - meaning a combined $862 million is up for grabs.

The winning numbers will be drawn Friday at 10 p.m. CST.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-lottery-giving-away-free-tickets-for-548m-mega-millions-drawing-497210071.html