When Thunderball draw number 3,765United Kingdom rolled around the corner on Saturday night, it handed out a total of £861,138 to 148,953 lucky players – but the coveted £500,000 jackpot stayed untouched. The draw, overseen by National Lottery, used Ball Set 1 and the Excalibur 1 machine, and the winning sequence was 1 – 3 – 14 – 20 – 26, with a Thunderball of 6.
What Happened Tonight
The live broadcast on the National Lottery YouTube channel showed the familiar clatter of balls, the crisp voice of the presenter, and the final call: “And now for the Thunderball, which is six.” The numbers, displayed in ascending order, matched the official record on Lottery.co.uk. At the same time, the parallel Lotto draw number 3102United Kingdom produced 01 – 26 – 36 – 49 – 53 – 54 with a Bonus Ball of 10, unlocking a £15 million jackpot under the “Summer of Sport 2025” banner.
Prize Breakdown and Winners
Here’s the thing: while nobody cracked the full house, four players did bag all five main numbers, each walking away with £5,000. The rest of the payout looked like this:
- 43 players matched four numbers + Thunderball – £250 each (£10,750 total)
- 456 matched four numbers – £100 each (£45,600 total)
- 1,213 matched three numbers + Thunderball – £20 each (£24,260 total)
- 16,492 matched three numbers – £10 each (£164,920 total)
- 13,875 matched two numbers + Thunderball – £10 each (£138,750 total)
- 53,124 matched one number + Thunderball – £5 each (£265,620 total)
- 63,746 matched only the Thunderball – £3 each (£191,238 total)
All told, the prize fund ticked over £860,000, a solid chunk for a game that costs just £1 per ticket.
How the Draw Works
Turns out the integrity of the draw rests on a few simple but tightly controlled steps. Balls are stored in a sealed cage, shuffled by the Excalibur 1 machine, then released one by one in front of an independent adjudicator – a neutral figure whose only job is to watch the balls fall and confirm the numbers. The process is livestreamed, timestamps are logged, and the results are posted within minutes on the official site and the YouTube channel.
Responsible Play and Resources
The broadcast didn’t just talk numbers; it reminded viewers that “National Lottery games should always be fun, playing in a way that is right for you.” The HealthyPlay‑Toolkit offers limit‑setting tools, self‑exclusion options, and tips on spotting problem‑gambling behavior. Players must be 18 or older and physically located in the UK or the Isle of Man to take part, as stated in the terms displayed on the screen.
Historical Context of the National Lottery
Behind the glow of tonight’s draw lies a legacy that stretches back to November 19 1994, when the first National Lottery ticket was sold and seven winners split a £5,874,778 jackpot. The biggest single win on record still belongs to a 1996 draw that paid out £42 million. Fast‑forward to November 2020, when Gareth Bull, a 49‑year‑old builder, walked away with £41 million and promptly tore down his bungalow to build a manor house with a pool – a reminder that the life‑changing potential of the draw is very real.
Looking Ahead: Future Draws
Players can lock in their next Thunderball ticket via the National Lottery app or the website. The next draw is scheduled for Sunday, September 14 at 11:51 PM UTC, and the same transparent procedure will be in place. As the slogan goes, “Dream Big, Play Small,” the lottery continues to balance the allure of massive jackpots with a modest entry cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people won a prize in the Thunderball draw?
A total of 148,953 players claimed a prize, ranging from £3 for a Thunderball‑only match up to £5,000 for matching all five main numbers.
What is the chance of hitting the £500,000 jackpot?
The odds of nabbing the top prize are roughly 1 in 7.1 million, meaning it’s a long‑shot but still within the realm of possibility for a large player base.
Can I play Thunderball from outside the UK?
No. The National Lottery requires participants to be physically present in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man, and age‑verified as 18 or older.
Where can I find responsible‑gambling tools?
The official HealthyPlay‑Toolkit, linked in the broadcast, offers limit‑setting, self‑exclusion, and information on where to get help if gambling becomes a problem.
What was the prize fund for tonight’s Lotto draw?
The Lotto draw awarded a £15 million jackpot, part of the “Summer of Sport 2025” promotion, alongside the regular prize tiers for matching numbers.