How to Play Eurojackpot from Ireland — Complete Guide 2026
Eurojackpot is Europe's second-biggest lottery after EuroMillions, played across 18 countries with jackpots starting at €10 million. Ireland is not an official participant, but Irish players can play Eurojackpot online through licensed concierge services. Here is everything you need to know.
Eurojackpot basics
Eurojackpot launched on 23 March 2012 with a draw in Helsinki, Finland. It has grown to cover 18 European countries including Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and others.
Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday evening (CET). Results are published immediately after each draw.
To play, you pick 5 main numbers from 1–50 and 2 Euro Numbers from 1–12. There are 12 prize tiers. The minimum jackpot is €10 million and the maximum (the "Must-Be-Won" cap) is €120 million.
You must be 18 or older to play.
How to play Eurojackpot from Ireland
Ireland is not one of the 18 official Eurojackpot participating countries — you cannot buy official tickets at a National Lottery retailer or on lottery.ie.
Irish players have two main options:
Online concierge services: These services buy official Eurojackpot tickets at a licensed retailer in a participating country, scan the physical ticket, and upload it to your account. If you win, the prize is paid directly to you from the official prize pool. This is currently the most convenient option for Irish players.
Travel: If you are in a participating country, you can buy official Eurojackpot tickets at a licensed retailer. Tickets are valid for the draw regardless of where you purchased them.
All winnings from official Eurojackpot tickets are paid in full — there is no cap on jackpot payouts through concierge services.
Eurojackpot draw days and times
| Day | Draw time (CET) | Irish time (approx.) | Results available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:00pm CET | 7:00pm (Irish time) | Immediately after draw |
| Friday | 8:00pm CET | 7:00pm (Irish time) | Immediately after draw |
Eurojackpot jackpot — how it grows and the cap
The Eurojackpot jackpot starts at €10 million and rolls over every time it is not won. The jackpot grows from ticket sales across all 18 participating countries — making it one of the largest prize pools in European lottery history.
When the jackpot reaches €120 million, Eurojackpot activates its "Must-Be-Won" rule: the jackpot must be won in that draw, or it cascades to the next winning tier down. This means there is never an unclaimed jackpot above €120 million, unlike EuroMillions which has reached €240 million+.
The lower cap means Eurojackpot jackpots are won more frequently at the upper end than EuroMillions. If you prefer more achievable jackpots rather than the largest possible prize, Eurojackpot may be more appealing.
Eurojackpot vs EuroMillions — which should you play?
Both games now use the same format (5 from 50, 2 from 12) and have identical jackpot odds of 1 in 139.8 million.
EuroMillions advantages for Irish players: - Available at National Lottery retailers in Ireland - Includes the Millionaire Maker raffle (guaranteed Irish millionaire every draw) - Higher jackpot cap (€250 million vs €120 million)
Eurojackpot advantages: - Jackpot won more frequently (lower cap means jackpots clear more often) - Starting jackpot (€10m) is already substantial - Bigger participating country base (18 countries) means larger draw pools in rollover periods
For most Irish players, EuroMillions offers better overall value because of the Millionaire Maker raffle. However, Eurojackpot is a compelling option when the jackpot is large and EuroMillions is still at a lower level.
Frequently asked questions
Can Irish players win Eurojackpot?
Yes. Irish players can participate in Eurojackpot through online concierge services, which purchase official tickets on your behalf in a participating country. All prizes are paid in full from the official Eurojackpot prize pool.
What days is Eurojackpot drawn?
Eurojackpot draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 8:00pm CET (7:00pm Irish time). Results are available immediately after each draw.
What is the Eurojackpot jackpot limit?
The Eurojackpot jackpot cap is €120 million. When the jackpot reaches this level, a "Must-Be-Won" rule activates — the prize must be won in that draw, or it cascades to the next prize tier.
How much does a Eurojackpot ticket cost?
Official Eurojackpot ticket prices vary by country. In Germany and most participating countries, a single line costs €2–€3. Through concierge services, prices typically reflect the face value plus a small service fee.
How many countries play Eurojackpot?
As of 2026, 18 European countries participate in Eurojackpot: Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, and Hungary.
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