On January 6, as the whole country celebrates the Day of the Magi (Día de los Reyes Magos), one of the most anticipated lotteries of the year, El Niño, will be drawn again in Madrid (Madrid). Spaniards who missed their chance in the Christmas lottery get a second shot at starting the year with a big win. This time, €700 million are up for grabs, to be distributed among tens of thousands of winners. The atmosphere in the draw hall is always unique—filled with excitement, hope, anticipation and, of course, the joy of those who get lucky.
The El Niño drawing system differs from the traditional Christmas Lottery. Several drums are used here, and tickets are issued in series—50 series of 100,000 tickets each. This means the chances of winning are spread as widely as possible, and every year, the list of winners spans an impressive range of locations. Last year, the jackpot went to residents of León (León), while the second and third prizes went to lucky players in Madrid, Badajoz (Badajoz), and Albacete (Albacete).
Where to follow the draw
The El Niño broadcast traditionally starts at noon. At that moment, millions of Spaniards tune in to their TV screens and monitors so as not to miss a single number. This year, as always, the draw will be broadcast live on national television as well as online. Attention is focused not only on the winning numbers but also on the personal stories of the winners, their emotions, and the unexpected coincidences that happen every year.
For many families, watching the lottery is a true tradition. Some buy tickets with colleagues, others with neighbors or relatives. On this day, even the most skeptical Spaniards allow themselves to dream a little. After all, El Niño is not just a chance to get rich—it’s also a reason to come together, discuss plans for the year, and simply be happy for those who got lucky.
How to Claim Your Winnings
If luck is on your side, it’s important not to delay claiming your prize. You can collect your winnings starting January 7, and you have exactly three months to do so. After this period, it will be impossible to retrieve the money unless you go to court. Prizes up to €2,000 are paid out at any lottery ticket sales point, while larger amounts must be collected from a bank authorized by the government.
Spain strictly monitors the transparency of payouts, so the prize collection process is as straightforward and clear as possible. The main thing is not to lose your ticket and not to forget the deadlines. Every year, there are those who miss their chance due to forgetfulness or disbelief in their luck. Yet, even small winnings can be a pleasant bonus to start the year.
Prize Structure
El Niño is famous not only for its large grand prizes but also for numerous additional chances to win. The first prize is €200,000 per ticket, the second is €75,000, and the third is €25,000. There are also special categories: for matching the last four, three, or two digits, as well as for numbers adjacent to the winning ones. This makes El Niño one of the most generous lotteries in Europe.
Special attention should be paid to so-called ‘reintegros’ — refunds. If the last digit of your ticket matches certain numbers, you get your ticket price back. Tens of thousands of people get this small windfall. It’s not millions, of course, but it’s always nice when luck returns at least the amount you spent.
Check the results
You can check if your ticket is a winner right after the draw. Just enter your ticket number and the bet amount on dedicated online platforms. All information about prizes and categories is openly available, so no one is left in the dark. Remember: El Niño is held just once a year, and your next chance to try your luck will come only 12 months later.
This year, the top prize is 2 million euros, with the second prize at 750,000 and the third at 250,000. In addition, there are hundreds and thousands of extra payouts for matches in various categories. Every ticket is a real chance to change your life—even if just a little.
A Spanish tradition
El Niño is more than just a lottery; it’s a part of national culture. It brings people together, offers hope, and creates a unique atmosphere at the start of the year. Even when luck passes you by, taking part is a reason for celebration and connection. That’s the real secret behind El Niño’s popularity: here, the winnings aren’t only monetary, but emotional—and those feelings stay with us for a long time.
