DORCHESTER, Mass. (WWLP) - It could be a very merry Christmas for one lucky winner, as the Mega Millions jackpot has grown to almost $1 billion.  Greenfield man to buy home for holidays with $1 million lottery ticket The prize currently is estimated at $970 million, which is a cash prize of just about $440 million. It's the seventh-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. The jackpot has been won only three times this year, making 2024 the year with the fewest prizes won in any single year since the game began. Mega Millions tickets are $2 and can be played in 45 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S.Virgin Islands. Tickets for Tuesday’s drawing can be purchased until 10:45 p.m. Tuesday at MassLottery retailers. Local News Headlines Springfield man killed in Enfield workplace accident Teen falls through thin ice in Arlington Mega Millions jackpot nearing $1 billion ohn Christmas Eve AAA warns of impaired driving during holiday season WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.