When you buy a Euromillions ticket, it’s natural to look beyond the jackpot and ask what smaller matches are actually worth. There are several ways to get a return, even if you’re only matching a few numbers.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens with just two main numbers, or one main number and one Lucky Star, this guide sets it out clearly. You’ll see where these outcomes sit among the prize tiers, how amounts are worked out, and what to do if you win.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect from these specific combinations, without any guesswork.
What Does Matching 2 Numbers Win?
If you match two main numbers in a Euromillions draw, you fall into the “Match 2” prize tier.
In the UK, this is the first tier that pays out. The amount is confirmed after each draw and can vary, but it typically comes in around £2.50 to £3.50. That range often lines up with the cost of a single line, which is £2.50 in the UK.
You do not need any Lucky Stars for this tier. If your ticket shows two of the five main numbers drawn, it qualifies. For the exact figure for your draw, check the official National Lottery results for that date.
What Does Matching 1 Number And 1 Lucky Star Win?
Matching one main number and one Lucky Star is a separate prize tier that pays a small, set-per-draw amount in the UK.
You only need a single main number and one Lucky Star for this tier. Other main numbers are not required for the prize to apply. As a guide, the payout is commonly around £2.50 and is confirmed once the draw is settled.
Tickets that show exactly one main number plus one Lucky Star qualify here. Any other combination will shift you into a different tier with a different payout.
So how do these two outcomes sit within the bigger picture of Euromillions prizes?
Euromillions Prize Tiers And How These Wins Fit In
Euromillions prizes are organised into 13 tiers based on how many main numbers and Lucky Stars are matched on a single line.
At the top, five main numbers and two Lucky Stars land the jackpot. Just below are the high-value tiers, such as five main numbers and one Lucky Star, then five main numbers without any stars, and so on.
The tiers for two main numbers, and for one main number plus one Lucky Star, sit at the lower end. They are among the most frequently hit outcomes, which is why they tend to pay smaller amounts. Even so, they are official prizes and are paid in the same way as other tiers once confirmed for the draw.
With the tiers in mind, it helps to understand how those smaller amounts are set.
How Are Prize Amounts Calculated For 2-Number And 1+Lucky Star Wins?
Each ticket sold contributes to a shared prize pool, which is then divided across all 13 tiers after the draw. A portion of that pool supports the lower tiers so that smaller outcomes pay out consistently, while the higher tiers receive a share that can move more noticeably between draws.
For the UK, the amounts paid for “Match 2” and “1 main number plus 1 Lucky Star” are generally stable and often sit at around £2.50, though the precise figure is confirmed once the draw is complete. The number of winners in these tiers does not usually change the headline amount for that draw.
If you want the exact payout for your ticket, look up the results for that specific draw on the official National Lottery site or app.
Now that the amounts make sense, what are the chances of hitting these outcomes?
What Are The Odds Of Matching 2 Numbers Or 1 Number And 1 Lucky Star?
The chances of landing each prize tier are fixed by the game’s number matrix.
For matching exactly two main numbers, the odds are about 1 in 22. For one main number plus one Lucky Star, they are around 1 in 50. These are both much more common than the higher tiers, which is why their payouts are smaller.
The odds apply to each individual line. Buying more lines increases the number of chances you have, but the likelihood for any single line remains the same.
If you do land one of these prizes, here is how payouts work in the UK.
How Are Small Euromillions Winnings Paid Out In The UK?
For tickets bought in shops, prizes up to £500 are usually paid at the counter. For amounts above that, a larger National Lottery retailer or certain Post Offices can help process the claim. For higher wins, you may be directed to follow a claims process set out by the National Lottery.
If you bought your ticket online or in the official app, smaller prizes are added to your account automatically and you will be notified by email or within the app.
Lottery prizes in the UK are paid without tax. You have 180 days from the draw date to claim, and after that period any unclaimed prizes are passed to National Lottery funded projects.
All of that starts with checking your numbers.
How To Check Your Ticket And Claim Small Prizes
You can check results on the National Lottery website, in the app, or in many newspapers the day after the draw. Compare the five main numbers and the two Lucky Stars on your ticket with the winning line, taking care to note whether you have matched two main numbers, or one main number with one Lucky Star.
If your ticket was bought in a shop, keep it safe and legible until you claim. Retailers will verify it and pay eligible smaller amounts on the spot, or guide you to the right place if your win needs to be processed differently. For online entries, eligible smaller wins are credited to your account and are available to withdraw in line with the site’s payment rules.
For quick confirmation in future, you can use our results checker to scan or enter your numbers and see instantly whether your line qualifies for “Match 2” or “1 main plus 1 Lucky Star”, along with the amount set for that draw. It is a simple way to know where you stand and what to do next.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.