The National Lottery has confirmed that a £1 million prize won in the Guaranteed Millionaire Raffle on 4 July was purchased from a retailer in Cheshire East but remains unclaimed. The ticket carries the code AQUA 0049 1681, and the operator has set a final deadline of 31 December 2026 for the holder to come forward.
What is known and what residents should do
Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, said the winning ticket formed part of the draw on 4 July, a night that produced ten millionaires through the Guaranteed Millionaire Raffle. The new Lotto format, introduced on 10 June, is expected to generate more millionaire winners nationwide.
"This is an incredible win for one lucky Lotto player and we want nothing more than to reunite them with their life-changing win," said Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at Allwyn.
Officials are appealing for anyone who purchased a ticket in Cheshire East around the time of the draw, or who may have been visiting the area, to check their tickets carefully. Allwyn stresses that the ticket must be presented to claim the standard 180-day entitlement; however, a written claim can be submitted within 30 days of the draw by anyone who believes they had a genuine claim but no longer possess the physical ticket.
- Check any Lotto tickets you bought for the draw on 4 July — code AQUA 0049 1681.
- Ask family, friends and anyone you were with whether they bought tickets and might be the winner.
- If you think you have a valid claim but have lost the ticket, contact Allwyn to find out how to submit a written claim within the 30-day window.
Deadlines and contact information
The operator emphasises the importance of meeting the stated time limits for claims. For queries or to report a potential winning ticket, National Lottery Line details are available.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draw date | 4 July |
| Prize | £1,000,000 |
| Ticket code | AQUA 0049 1681 |
| Standard claim period | 180 days from draw |
| Final deadline to claim | 31 December 2026 |
| Contact | 0333 234 5050 or help@national-lottery.co.uk |
Local implications
Beyond the fortunate individual who may hold the ticket, there are direct local implications. The retailer that sold the winning raffle ticket will have been part of a moment of significant local attention; if the prize is eventually claimed locally, there will be a brief spike in publicity and community interest. Nationally, the recently changed Lotto structure is expected to produce a far higher number of millionaire winners, increasing the chance that unclaimed prizes will surface in other communities.
Allwyn also noted that National Lottery players contribute to funding for good causes, with players helping to raise around £33 million each week across the UK. For now, residents of Cheshire East are urged to double-check any tickets from the early July period — the next steps for the missing winner are straightforward but time-sensitive.
