A substantial £1 million EuroMillions prize has gone unclaimed in Birmingham, with the deadline passing at midnight on 11 February 2026. The ticket was purchased in the Birmingham area for the draw on 15 August 2025, but the holder failed to come forward within the 180-day claim period.
Search for the Winner Proves Fruitless
Allwyn, the operator of the National Lottery, confirmed the prize remained unclaimed despite an extensive search across Birmingham and the wider UK. Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery, expressed disappointment, stating, "It's unfortunate that despite an extensive search for the would-be-millionaire across Birmingham and the UK, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now sadly missed out on this life-changing sum of money."
Positive Impact on Local Projects
While the individual winner misses out, the unclaimed £1 million will be added to the £32 million raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects. Since 1994, over 15,000 projects in Birmingham have benefited from such funding.
Recent examples include:
- Right to Succeed, awarded £1 million in September 2025 for their Cradle to Career project supporting disadvantaged children and young people.
- New Heights Community Centre, which received £259,000 in December 2025 to provide community support and activities.
- Edrington Foodbank, granted £19,000 in December 2025 to assist local families in crisis.
Check Your Tickets for Outstanding Prizes
This incident highlights the importance of checking lottery tickets promptly. Currently, there are six big prizes outstanding from the National Lottery across Lotto and EuroMillions, totaling over £13 million in unclaimed winnings. Players are urged to check pockets, car doors, and other potential hiding spots for tickets.
Contributing to Good Causes
Playing the National Lottery is not just about winning; it's a way to support vital community projects. Each week, players help generate around £32 million for funded initiatives, with over £52 billion raised for Good Causes since the lottery's launch, benefiting every postcode in the UK.
To avoid missing out, players can buy and check tickets online via the National Lottery app or at national-lottery.co.uk, where tickets are automatically checked and winners receive email notifications. Retail tickets can also be scanned using the app to verify winnings.
