ALBUQUERQUE – Life changed in a “Mega” way for a Rio Rancho resident who arrived at the New Mexico Lottery Claims Center to secure a life-changing multimillion-dollar payout.
Michele Davidson of Rio Rancho officially stepped forward on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to claim a spectacular $2 million Mega Millions® prize. Davidson matched all five white numbers drawn from the Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Mega Millions drawing, resulting in a $2 million prize!
Lottery officials reported an overwhelming sense of excitement at the Albuquerque headquarters as the winning ticket was validated. Davidson admitted she was still in shock and trying to process the news while officially claiming her prize.
“Michele is the seventh New Mexico Lottery Mega Millions player who has won $1 million or more,” said David Barden, New Mexico Lottery CEO. “It is always an incredibly exciting day at our headquarters when we award a life-changing $2 million prize. Moments like this highlight the fun of the game, but more importantly, they emphasize the critical funding our players generate every single day for student scholarships right here in New Mexico.”
Legislative Lottery Scholarships
Since 1996, the New Mexico Lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion for education across New Mexico. Lottery proceeds fund Legislative Lottery Scholarships, which have helped more than 161,000 New Mexico students pursue higher education and future career opportunities.
For more information about the New Mexico Lottery and Legislative Lottery Scholarships, visit nmlottery.com.