Mega Millions jackpot drawing tonight soars to nearly $1 billion after no winner on Tuesday

By Chris Boyette and Holly Yan, CNN

(CNN) - The Mega Millions drawing on Friday is approaching $1 billion after no winner emerged Tuesday.

The jackpot is estimated at $940 million ($483.5 million cash), according to the lottery.

Friday's drawing follows the third-largest jackpot in July. In September, two people -- who agreed to split the prize -- came forward to claim the $1.34 billion prize, the Illinois Lottery said.

"In more than 20 years since the game began in 2002, there have been just three larger jackpots than Friday's estimated prize," the Mega Millions said in a news release.

Tuesday's drawing featured nearly 3 million winning tickets for prizes ranging from $2 to up to $4 million, the lottery said. Six tickets matched the first five numbers, winning the lottery's second-highest prize of $1 million each, the lottery said.

The largest jackpot in history was $1.537 billion in 2018.

The last jackpot was won in October, and the number of winning tickets at all prize levels has been growing across the country, the lottery said.