Everything ready for the Extraordinary Draw of the Christmas Lottery 2024: where to follow it live

The traditional Extraordinary Draw of the Christmas Lottery is held this Sunday, December 22, 2024 at the emblematic Teatro Real in Madrid. This event, one of the most anticipated of the year, marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations in Spain and spreads excitement and millions among the participants. The best place to check the prizes is here: at The Economist.

Draw schedules and development

The day begins early, at 8:00 a.m., with the preparation of the drums that contain the numbers and prizes. Starting at 9:00 a.m., the children of San Ildefonso take center stage by singing the numbers and prizes in their characteristic song, a tradition that dates back to the 18th century. The draw has an estimated duration of between three and four hours, concluding around 1:00 p.m., although this time may be extended depending on how the event takes place.

How to follow the draw live

For those who want to experience the draw in real time, there are multiple options:

• Television: RTVE will broadcast the event live on La 1.

• Streaming: The RTVE Play digital service will also broadcast the draw for mobile devices and computers.

• Online coverage: Media such as El Economista will offer live updates on the winning numbers, anecdotes and curiosities of the draw.

The awards: a distribution of million-dollar dreams

The Extraordinary Christmas Draw 2024 will distribute more than 2.5 billion euros in prizes, with different categories that include:

• El Gordo: The most coveted prize awards 400,000 euros per tenth.

• Second prize: 125,000 euros per tenth.

• Third prize: 50,000 euros per tenth.

• Two fourth prizes: 20,000 euros per tenth each.

• Eight fifth prizes: 6,000 euros per tenth prize each.

• La Pedrea: With 1,794 prizes of 100 euros, it becomes an incentive for those who cannot obtain the main prizes.

In addition, there are other complementary prizes, such as refunds and approximations to the main numbers, which increase the chances of obtaining a prize.

Tax withholding: what you should know

It is important to keep in mind that prizes over 40,000 euros are subject to a 20% tax withholding. For example, those who win El Gordo will receive a net amount of 328,000 euros after applying the corresponding deduction. On the other hand, prizes lower than this amount are exempt from taxes, which is an advantage for the lucky winners of categories such as La Pedrea.

The Christmas Lottery Draw not only distributes fortune, but has also become a symbol of unity and hope during the holidays. Every year, millions of Spaniards buy tenths with the hope of sharing the luck with family, friends or co-workers, perpetuating a tradition that is part of the country’s cultural fabric. In addition, the stories of the winners, the celebrations in the lottery administrations and the emotional reactions become a reflection of the Christmas spirit that characterizes these dates.

The Christmas Lottery is one of the oldest raffles in the world, with a history dating back to 1812. Since then, it has evolved to become a social phenomenon that transcends the economic sphere, being a pillar of the Christmas festivities in Spain. This year, millions of people will continue to pay attention to the development of the draw, hoping that their number will be chosen. Who will be the next lucky person to claim victory with El Gordo? This Sunday we will find out.