Christmas Lottery 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your Ticket
Quick answer: The 2026 Spanish Christmas Lottery (Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad) takes place on Tuesday, 22 December 2026 at the Teatro Real in Madrid. A tenth (décimo) costs €20 and a full ticket costs €200. El Gordo pays €400,000 per tenth (€328,000 net after the 20% tax on the amount above €40,000), and the chance of a specific number winning the first prize is 1 in 100,000.
Updated 25 September 2026 · By the Serviloto team, Lottery Office no. 40 in Málaga (Spain).
The Spanish Christmas Lottery is one of the country's most popular traditions.
The 2026 Christmas Lottery draw will take place on December 22, 2026, and each tenth costs €20.
Christmas Lottery 2026: key facts
| Draw date | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Price of a tenth | €20 (full ticket of 10 tenths: €200) |
| Numbers in play | 100,000 (00000 to 99999) |
| Series per number | 205 |
| El Gordo (1st prize) | €400,000 per tenth |
| Odds of El Gordo | 1 in 100,000 |
| Deadline to claim | 3 months from the day after the draw |
When is the 2026 Christmas Lottery?
The draw will take place on December 22, 2026, using the traditional lottery system.
How much does a ticket cost?
Each tenth costs €20, while a complete ticket is worth €200 and is divided into ten tenths.
How much can you win?
The first prize, known as El Gordo, is worth €400,000 per tenth.
The second prize is worth €125,000 per tenth, while the third prize is €50,000 per tenth.
Prize table per tenth and what you keep after tax
| Prize | Number of prizes | Per tenth (gross) | Per tenth (net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st prize (El Gordo) | 1 | €400,000 | €328,000 |
| 2nd prize | 1 | €125,000 | €108,000 |
| 3rd prize | 1 | €50,000 | €48,000 |
| 4th prize | 2 | €20,000 | €20,000 (tax-free) |
| 5th prize | 8 | €6,000 | €6,000 (tax-free) |
| Pedrea | 1,794 | €100 | €100 (tax-free) |
| Refund (reintegro) | 1 in every 10 numbers | €20 | €20 (tax-free) |
Prizes above €40,000 per tenth are taxed at 20% on the amount exceeding €40,000, withheld automatically when you claim. For shared tickets, the €40,000 exemption is split proportionally. There are also approximation, hundreds and last-digit prizes.
What are the chances of winning?
There are 100,000 possible five-digit numbers, meaning the approximate probability of winning the first prize with a specific number is 1 in 100,000.
Should you buy your ticket early?
Buying early does not improve your mathematical chances of winning, but it can give you more opportunities to find a particular number before it sells out.
Can you share a ticket?
Yes. Sharing tickets is a common Christmas tradition. It is advisable to keep a written record of each participant's share.
Keep your ticket safe
Take a clear photograph of your ticket and store the original somewhere safe.
Play responsibly
The Christmas Lottery is a game of chance. Set a budget and only spend an amount you can comfortably afford.
Conclusion
The 2026 Spanish Christmas Lottery will take place on December 22. With €20 tenths and major prizes of up to €400,000 per tenth, it remains one of Spain's most anticipated lottery events of the year.
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 Christmas Lottery
When is the 2026 Christmas Lottery draw?
The draw takes place on the morning of Tuesday, 22 December 2026 at the Teatro Real in Madrid and is broadcast live on TV.
How much does a Christmas Lottery ticket cost in 2026?
A tenth costs €20 and a full ticket of 10 tenths costs €200. The price is the same at every official lottery office.
How much do you take home if you win El Gordo?
El Gordo pays €400,000 per tenth. The first €40,000 is tax-free and the rest is taxed at 20%, so the winner receives €328,000 net per tenth.
What are the odds of winning any prize?
The odds of winning El Gordo with one number are 1 in 100,000. The refund goes to 1 in every 10 numbers, and overall around 15% of numbers win some prize.
How long do I have to claim a Christmas Lottery prize?
You have 3 months from the day after the draw. After that, the prize expires.
Can I buy the Christmas Lottery online at Serviloto?
Yes. At Serviloto, Lottery Office no. 40 in Málaga, you can buy your Christmas Lottery tenth online, choose from the available numbers and have your entry registered in your account.
Still need your ticket? See all the draw information and available numbers on our Spanish Christmas Lottery 2026 page.
