When The National Lottery conducted the Set For Life drawUnited Kingdom on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the winning numbers were 11, 17, 26, 29, 47 with Life Ball 6. No ticket matched all five main numbers plus the Life Ball, leaving the coveted £10,000‑a‑month‑for‑30‑years jackpot untouched.

What Happened in the July 17 Draw?

The draw was run using the Ball Machine Excalibur 3 paired with Ball Set SFL2, and an independent adjudicator oversaw the process to ensure transparency. While the top prize went unclaimed, a single player did hit five of the six numbers, bagging the second‑tier prize of £10,000 per month for one year – a total of £120,000 guaranteed.

In total, 199,921 lucky participants walked away with something, spreading a prize fund of £1,492,740 across the various tiers. That’s almost £1.5 million handed out in a single evening, proving the draw’s popularity even when the headline jackpot stays on the shelf.

How the Set For Life Prize Structure Works

Unlike a typical lump‑sum lottery win, Set For Life trades a one‑off windfall for a steady income stream. The top prize promises £10,000 every month for 30 years, which, if you add it all up, equals £3.6 million – a tidy sum that can fund a mortgage, a child’s education, or simply a comfortable retirement.

The second tier pays £10,000 a month for just one year, while the lower tiers hand out cash prizes ranging from £5 to £250. The design aims to give players a sense of long‑term security, even if they only land a modest win.

Breakdown of Winners and Payouts

• 36 players matched four numbers + Life Ball – £250 each (£9,000 total)
• 374 players matched four numbers only – £50 each (£18,700 total)
• 1,694 players matched three numbers + Life Ball – £30 each (£50,820 total)
• 14,195 players matched three numbers only – £20 each (£283,900 total)
• 18,443 players matched two numbers + Life Ball – £10 each (£184,430 total)
• 165,178 players matched two numbers only – £5 each (£825,890 total)

The two‑number‑only category alone accounted for more than half of the total prize fund, underscoring how the lottery spreads value across a broad base of participants.

Implications of the Unclaimed Jackpot

Because no one hit the jackpot, the £10,000‑a‑month prize will roll over to the next draw, essentially adding an extra layer of excitement for future players. As Emma Clarke, spokesperson for The National Lottery, told reporters, “When the top prize stays unclaimed, it builds momentum. Players know the life‑changing amount is still out there, and that can boost ticket sales for the upcoming draws.”

From a business perspective, an unclaimed jackpot means the organization retains a larger cash buffer, which can be reinvested into new games, responsible‑gaming initiatives, or charitable contributions – the core mission of the National Lottery.

What’s Next for Players?

The next Set For Life draws will continue on the usual twice‑weekly schedule, hitting the screens on Monday and Thursday evenings. Players can check their tickets via the official National Lottery website or mobile app, both of which feature a ‘Dream Big Play Small’ campaign promoting responsible gambling tools. Remember, you must be 18 or older and physically located in the United Kingdom or the Isle of Man to take part.

If you missed out this time, the odds remain the same, and the rolling jackpot keeps the promise of a steady monthly income waiting in the wings. As the adage goes, “you’ve got to be in it to win it,” and with almost 200,000 winners already sharing the pot, the odds of walking away with something feel pretty decent.