2026 Channel Islands Christmas Lottery launches this week

 

Tickets for the 2026 Channel Islands Christmas Lottery go on sale this week, with a guaranteed top prize of £300,000 that will increase as sales grow. The popular 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 and will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Beau Sejour. The announcement of the top prize will be broadcast live from the centre that afternoon.

All proceeds from ticket sales in Guernsey are distributed to local charities through the Social Investment Fund. Over the years, the lottery has raised millions of pounds for good causes across the island.

Sales increased in 2025, helping the first prize rise to £493,320. The winning ticket was sold in Jersey, marking the second consecutive year that the island claimed the top prize following seven years of winners from Guernsey.

Jon Taylor, Presiding Officer for the 2026 Christmas Draw, said:

“Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Channel Islands Lottery, whose proceeds originally helped fund the construction of Beau Sejour Leisure Centre. It is fitting that Beau Sejour is now celebrating its own 50th anniversary. Today, every pound raised by the lottery, after prizes and operating costs, continues to support worthy causes across our community. We are proud that the lottery continues to contribute to the ongoing success of such an important local institution.”

Mr Taylor said that the introduction of additional prizes in recent years has improved 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.

Mr Taylor believes the growth in sales can be partly attributed to the introduction of online syndicate purchases and delivery services in both islands. Businesses, clubs, families and groups of friends can now purchase syndicate tickets online through the lottery’s website, with delivery available directly to customers.

“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 directly makes the process much easier and more convenient for organisers,” Mr Taylor added.

The 2026 Christmas Lottery winning numbers reveal, will be broadcast live from Beau Sejour on Thursday 17 December from 6.00pm 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.

Left to right: Steve Sharman, Chair of the Social Investment Fund, Nic Legg, Stratagem, who designed this year’s ticket; and Stephen Baggot and Jack Hobbs representing the CI Lottery’s distribution partner, Guernsey Post.

Left to right: Karen Le Roy Harris, Head of Grants, Jersey Community Foundation, Marcus Liddiard, CEO (Interim), Association of Jersey Charities, Paul Bates, Head of Sales – Retail, Fox Trading and David Kennedy, CEO, Jersey Sport