TICKETS for the popular Channel Islands Christmas Lottery went on sale this week, with a guaranteed top prize of £300,000.
The annual draw offers 65 cash prizes, as well as more than £500,000 worth of instant-win prizes.
The main draw will take place in Guernsey on Thursday 17 December with the announcement of the top prize, which will rise as more tickets are sold, broadcast live on Channel 103 from 6pm. Last year’s top prize hit £493,320.
All proceeds from ticket sales in Jersey are distributed to local charities through the Jersey Community Foundation, Association of Jersey Charities and Jersey Sport, with the lottery having raised millions of pounds for good causes over the years.
Jon Taylor, head of lottery, said: “Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Channel Islands Lottery and sales were improved with the introduction of a dedicated syndicate delivery service via our website cilottery.org. Delivery for online syndicate ticket sales will continue in 2026. Today, every pound raised by the lottery after prizes and costs continues to support worthy causes across our communities. We are proud that the lottery continues to contribute so much to charity and good causes that benefit the islands.”
Mr Taylor said that the introduction of additional prizes in recent years has increased players’ chances of winning, while the ticket price has remained unchanged at £2.
“Our primary objective is to maximise funding for good causes, but we are equally committed to keeping the lottery affordable and creating as many winners as possible from the available prize fund,” he said.
“Distribution agents in both islands will continue to offer syndicate sales, but the ability to purchase tickets online through a secure platform and have them delivered makes the process far easier and more convenient for organisers.”
The 2026 Christmas Lottery draw will take place at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in Guernsey, with winning numbers broadcast live on Island FM in Guernsey and Channel 103 in Jersey.
Channel Islands Christmas Lottery tickets go on sale throughout the Channel Islands on Thursday 1 October 2026. For syndicate sales and further information, visit the lottery website www.cilottery.org.
