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Massive $415 million Mega Millions jackpot is 10th largest in U.S. history

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Mega Millions has swelled to record heights for the holiday weekend, offering a $415 million jackpot Friday.

The already massive jackpot surged to the third highest in the lottery’s history — and 10th highest in U.S. history — after no players matched Tuesday night’s winning numbers. It is the largest prize offered since Dec. 17, 2013, when two tickets shared a $648 million jackpot.

Friday’s drawing takes place at 10 p.m. CST.

No player has managed to match all six Mega Millions numbers since March 8, when a jackpot of $157 million was awarded. Tuesday’s jackpot would be worth $226 million as a lump-sum cash payout.

The July 4 weekend has been historically a big one for Mega Millions. Four major jackpots have been won around the holiday, the largest being a $294 million prize on July 2, 2004. The others are a $107 million jackpot July 1, 2011, an $85 million jackpot July 3, 2012, and a $79 million jackpot July 5, 2013.

The record U.S. lottery prize of $1.6 billion was a Powerball jackpot awarded in January 2016. In March of 2012, ticket-holders struck the largest Mega Millions jackpot of $656 million.

Mega Millions is offered in Illinois and 42 other states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Associated Press, Los Angeles Times contributed.