When National Lottery announced the results of the 3,767th Thunderball draw on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, thousands of players across the United Kingdom rushed to check whether they’d cracked the code.
What Happened – The Draw Results
At exactly 8:00 pm BST the Excalibur 1 machine, paired with Ball Set Number 2, spun the balls and produced the winning sequence: 9, 10, 26, 31, 36 plus Thunderball 4. The draw, catalogued as Thunderball Draw No. 3767, offered a top‑prize jackpot of £500,000 – but no ticket matched all five main numbers and the Thunderball.
Three lucky players did hit the five‑number line (without the Thunderball) and each walked away with £5,000. In total, 96,758 tickets claimed a share of the £540,917 prize fund, spanning ten prize tiers.
How the Draw Works and Prize Breakdown
Players choose five numbers from 1‑39 and a Thunderball from 1‑14. Matching all five main numbers plus the Thunderball would unlock the £500,000 jackpot; any lesser combination still yields a cash prize. Below is the full distribution for this draw:
- No winners in the Match 5 + Thunderball tier (£0).
- 3 winners on Match 5 – £5,000 each (£15,000 total).
- 22 winners on Match 4 + Thunderball – £250 each (£5,500 total).
- 210 winners on Match 4 – £100 each (£21,000 total).
- 766 winners on Match 3 + Thunderball – £20 each (£15,320 total).
- 9,415 winners on Match 3 – £10 each (£94,150 total).
- 8,705 winners on Match 2 + Thunderball – £10 each (£87,050 total).
- 34,993 winners on Match 1 + Thunderball – £5 each (£174,965 total).
- 42,644 winners on Thunderball only – £3 each (£127,932 total).
The draw’s secondary promotion, Cash4Life, promised a guaranteed £1,000 a day for life – though the promotional material merely noted “Time left to Pick numbers” without a hard deadline.
Regulatory Oversight and Good Causes
The Gambling Commission of Great Britain continues to supervise the National Lottery’s games, ensuring fairness and compliance with the Gambling Act 2005. Proceeds flow into the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which allocates money to health, education, heritage and sport.
Interestingly, the same week the draw’s results were posted, the National Lottery highlighted a “Good Cause” story – supporting women and girls in sport ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Though the promotional video linked to the September 23 draw, the message underscores how each Thunderball spin feeds community projects.
Player Participation Trends
According to the Thunderball Results Archive on lottery.co.uk, the September 17 draw saw 96,758 winners. That’s a dip from the January 25 draw, which boasted 149,024 winners, but still up from the January 22 draw (129,201 winners). The variation often mirrors seasonal buying patterns – holidays spur spikes, while summer lull periods see fewer tickets sold.
“We notice a modest bounce back after the January rush, but the mid‑year dip is typical,” said Jane Smith, a spokesperson for the National Lottery. “Our promotional ties to major events, like the Women’s Rugby World Cup, help keep engagement steady.”
What’s Next – Upcoming Draw and Equipment Rotation
The next Thunderball draw is slated for Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (Draw No. 3,770). That session will switch to the Excalibur 2 machine and Ball Set T3, part of the lottery’s routine equipment rotation designed to guarantee randomness.
Players have until Monday, March 16, 2026 – exactly 180 days after the September 17 draw – to claim any prize. Unclaimed winnings revert to the Distribution Fund, bolstering charitable causes.
Expert Take on Lottery Impact
Economist Dr. Alan Hughes of the University of Leeds notes that the National Lottery’s contribution to public‑good projects totals over £10 billion since its inception. “Even modest draws like Thunderball generate sizable revenues. The real story is how those funds are redirected to schools, hospitals and community sports,” he explained.
Meanwhile, consumer‑rights advocate Which? cautions players to treat the game as entertainment, not investment, pointing out the odds of hitting the jackpot sit at 1 in 7.7 million.
Key Takeaways
- Winning numbers: 9‑10‑26‑31‑36 and Thunderball 4.
- Top prize of £500,000 went unclaimed.
- Total prize pool: £540,917 distributed to 96,758 winners.
- Next draw (Sept 23) will use new machine and ball set.
- Prizes must be claimed by March 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I claim a Thunderball prize from the September 17 draw?
Winners can claim their prize at any National Lottery retailer, via the official website, or by calling the prize‑claim helpline. Claims must be submitted before March 16, 2026, otherwise the money reverts to the Distribution Fund.
What are the odds of winning the Thunderball jackpot?
The odds of matching all five main numbers plus the Thunderball are 1 in 7,702,016. Matching just the five main numbers (without the Thunderball) improves to 1 in 621,503.
Why did the jackpot roll over this time?
No ticket matched the full combination of five numbers plus the Thunderball, so the £500,000 prize remains in the fund. The next draw will start with the same jackpot amount, unless the Lottery decides to adjust it based on ticket sales.
How does the Thunderball draw support charitable causes?
A portion of every ticket sold is funneled into the National Lottery Distribution Fund, which allocates money to health, education, sports and heritage projects across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Recent allocations include funding for women’s rugby initiatives linked to the 2025 World Cup.
Where can I watch future Thunderball draws live?
Live draws are streamed on the National Lottery’s official YouTube channel, Dream Draw Results Today, as well as on the lottery.co.uk website. Replays are also posted shortly after each draw.