The Princess Margaret lottery is Canada’s largest charity home lottery, with over 15,000 prizes valued at more than $14 million CAD in the Spring 2026 draw alone. Run by the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, this Ontario-based lottery offers a grand prize package worth $8.5 million — including a custom-built Thornhill showhome and $500,000 cash. Tickets start at $100 each, and odds of winning any prize sit at roughly 1 in 30.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has operated this lottery for 30 years, raising more than $355 million for cancer research and treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre — one of the top five cancer research centres in the world. It’s also one of the most generous charity lotteries in Canadian lottery history. If you’re a Canadian who loves lotteries and the idea of winning a home, here’s everything you need to know about how the Princess Margaret lottery works, what you can win, and how to play.
What Is the Princess Margaret Lottery?
The Princess Margaret lottery — sometimes called the PMH lottery or the Princess Margaret home lottery — is a charitable lottery licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It runs twice per year, typically with a Spring draw and a Fall draw, and every dollar raised supports cancer research, diagnostics, and patient care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Unlike standard number-draw lotteries you can play online, the Princess Margaret lottery is a raffle-style draw. You buy a ticket (or a pack), and each ticket is assigned a unique number. Winners are drawn randomly from the pool of sold tickets. There’s no picking numbers, no matching balls — just buy and wait.
What makes it stand out is the sheer scale of the prizes. The Spring 2026 Princess Margaret lottery features a fully furnished custom showhome as the grand prize, along with condos, cottages, luxury vehicles, vacations, and thousands of cash prizes. The foundation sells a fixed number of tickets (435,000 for the Home Lottery), which keeps odds relatively favourable compared to national lotteries like Lotto Max or Lotto 6/49.
If you enjoy the thrill of playing lottery in Canada, the Princess Margaret lottery is worth knowing about — even if you also like to play lotteries year-round at XO Lotto between draws.
Princess Margaret Lottery Prizes in 2026
The Spring 2026 Princess Margaret lottery celebrates its 30th anniversary with the biggest prize pool yet. Here’s the full breakdown of top-tier prizes.
| Prize | What You Win | Value (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | Thornhill Showhome (7,500+ sq ft, 5 bedrooms) + $500,000 cash | $8,500,000 |
| Early Bird Prize | Haliburton Lakefront Cottage (fully furnished) + $50,000 cash | $2,669,000 |
| Bonus Prize | Downtown Toronto Condo (fully furnished) + $50,000 cash | $1,784,900 |
| VIP Prize | 2026 Porsche Macan T AWD + Paris trip OR $100,000 cash | $118,928 |
| Cash Calendar Grand | Cash Calendar Grand Prize | $250,000 |
| 50/50 Add-On | Split pot (minimum $2,000,000 guaranteed) | $2,000,000+ |
| Wanderlust Prizes | 10 luxury vacation packages or $70,000 cash each | $700,000 total |
| Additional Prizes | Luxury vehicles, vacations, daily cash ($5K/day, $30K Fridays) | Thousands more |
Key takeaways from the prize structure: The grand prize alone is worth $8.5 million CAD — more than most Canadian lottery jackpots in a given month. The early bird cottage prize is essentially a second grand prize worth $2.6 million, but you only qualify if you buy tickets before the early bird deadline. The 50/50 add-on has paid out over $6 million in previous draws, making it one of the richest 50/50 pools in Canada.
There are also over 3,500 VIP prize winners who receive a free $100 Home Lottery ticket — essentially a second chance to win. All told, the Spring 2026 Princess Margaret lottery has more than 15,000 individual prizes valued at over $14 million CAD. Prize winnings from this lottery are not taxable in Canada.
How to Buy Princess Margaret Lottery Tickets
Princess Margaret lottery tickets are available online, by phone, by mail, or in person at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. The Spring 2026 draw has 435,000 total Home Lottery tickets — once they sell out, they’re gone.
| Pack | Price (CAD) | Per Ticket | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Pack (Single) | $100 | $100 | — |
| 3-Pack | $250 | $83.33 | $50 |
| 5-Pack | $375 | $75.00 | $125 |
| Mega-Pack (5 Home + 25× 50/50 + 6× Cash Calendar) | $525 | Best value bundle | Multiple games |
| Mega-Pack+ (Mega-Pack + 6× Wanderlust) | $600 | Full coverage | All 4 games |
| Max-Pack (10 Home + 50× 50/50 + 6× Cash Calendar) | $875 | $87.50/bundle | Maximum entries |
Key takeaways on ticket pricing: The 5-Pack at $375 gives you the lowest per-ticket price at $75 each — a 25% discount over single tickets. The Mega-Pack at $525 is the strongest overall value because it bundles three different games (Home Lottery, 50/50, and Cash Calendar) into one purchase. The Mega-Pack+ at $600 adds Wanderlust tickets for just $75 more. You must be 18+ to buy Princess Margaret lottery tickets, and all orders require an Ontario mailing address.
💰 XO Lotto Deposit Bonus: Love lotteries? Deposit $10 at XO Lotto and play with $30 — $20 bonus credited instantly. Play scratch cards, lotto, and more from anywhere in Canada. — claim your bonus →
Princess Margaret Lottery Odds and Draw Dates
One of the biggest advantages of the Princess Margaret lottery over national lotteries is the odds. With only 435,000 tickets sold and more than 15,000 prizes available, the chances of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 30. Compare that to Lotto Max odds of 1 in 33.3 million for the jackpot, and you can see why the Princess Margaret home lottery attracts so many players.
Here’s how the princess margaret lottery odds break down by ticket quantity. Each additional ticket improves your probability because the draw pool is fixed at 435,000.
| Tickets | Odds (Any Prize) | Odds (Grand Prize) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~1 in 30 | 1 in 435,000 | $100 |
| 3 | ~1 in 10 | 1 in 145,000 | $250 |
| 5 | ~1 in 6 | 1 in 87,000 | $375 |
| 10 | ~1 in 3 | 1 in 43,500 | $750 |
Key takeaway on Princess Margaret lottery odds: Buying 5 tickets gives you roughly a 1-in-6 chance of winning something. Those are dramatically better odds than any national lottery in Canada, though the minimum entry cost is also much higher at $375 for a 5-pack.
Princess Margaret Lottery Draw Dates 2026
The Spring 2026 Princess Margaret lottery follows a staggered deadline and draw schedule. Knowing the princess margaret lottery draw dates is essential — buying early qualifies you for more prize draws, and tickets ordered before the Loyalty Prize Deadline are eligible for all 15,016 draws.
| Deadline / Event | Date | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Prize Deadline | Midnight, April 10, 2026 | Last chance to qualify for $2.6M Haliburton Cottage |
| Final Ticket Sales Deadline | Midnight, April 24, 2026 | Absolute last day to buy tickets (or when 435K sell out) |
| Grand Prize Draw | April 21 or May 5, 2026 | Depends on sellout timing |
| Winners Announced (CP24) | May 7, 2026 | Top prizes announced live on CP24, 7 AM – 6 PM |
| Winners List Posted Online | April 24 or May 11, 2026 | Searchable list at PrincessMargaretLotto.com |
| Cash Calendar Daily Prizes | May 8 – August 15, 2026 | $5,000 daily, $30,000 every Friday, $250,000 grand |
Important timing note: The draw date depends on whether all 435,000 tickets sell out before the Early Bird deadline. If they do, draws happen earlier (April 21). If not, the final draw moves to May 5, with announcements on May 7. Either way, buying tickets earlier means you’re entered into more prize draws — which is why the foundation says “buy early, win more.”
Princess Margaret Lottery Add-On Games
Beyond the main Home Lottery, the Princess Margaret lottery offers three add-on games that can significantly boost your total prize potential. The 50/50 add-on alone has generated payouts exceeding $6 million in past draws.
50/50 Add-On — This is the big one. You split the total ticket sales pool with the foundation, and the guaranteed minimum payout is $2 million CAD. Tickets are $25 for a 5-pack, $50 for 15, $75 for 25, or $100 for 50. The 50/50 must be purchased alongside a Home Lottery ticket — you can’t buy it separately. Past 50/50 jackpots have exceeded $6 million, making this one of the richest 50/50 draws in Canadian lottery history.
Cash Calendar — Buy it on its own or add it with your Home Lottery purchase. It offers 100 days of cash prizes: $5,000 daily, $30,000 every Friday, and a $250,000 grand prize. Tickets are $25 single, $50 for a 3-pack, or $75 for a 6-pack. Winners are posted daily from May 8 through August 15, 2026.
Wanderlust Lottery — Ten winners each receive a luxury dream vacation or $70,000 cash — their choice. Wanderlust tickets are included in the Mega-Pack+ bundle or can be added on separately.
The Princess Margaret cottage lottery is part of the Early Bird Prize package. The Spring 2026 cottage is a stunning lakefront property on Haliburton Lake — a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom fully furnished retreat valued at $2,619,000 CAD, plus $50,000 cash. You qualify for the cottage draw by purchasing your Home Lottery tickets before the Early Bird deadline.
Princess Margaret Lottery Odds Calculator
Wondering how your odds change with more tickets? This calculator shows your approximate probability of winning any prize in the Princess Margaret lottery based on how many Home Lottery tickets you buy. With 435,000 total tickets and over 15,000 prizes, even a single ticket gives you a roughly 1-in-30 shot.
Want to play lottery year-round — not just twice a year? XO Lotto gives you access to Lotto Max, Powerball, Mega Millions, scratch cards, and more from anywhere in Canada.
DEPOSIT $10, PLAY WITH $30 →What the numbers mean: Even one Princess Margaret lottery ticket gives you better odds of winning a prize than almost any other lottery in Canada. But the trade-off is cost — $100 per ticket versus $5 for a Lotto Max ticket or a free scratch card at XO Lotto. The Princess Margaret lottery runs only twice per year, so it's a special event — not a daily habit.
Who Can Play the Princess Margaret Lottery?
The Princess Margaret lottery is restricted to Ontario residents. You must be physically located in Ontario when you place your order, and you need to provide an Ontario mailing address. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, and tickets cannot be ordered in the name of a minor.
People prohibited from playing include board members and employees of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, UHN Board of Trustees, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre executive team, and partners/employees of MNP LLP (the firm that administers the draws). Immediate family members living in the same household as these individuals are also excluded.
There are four ways to order: online at PrincessMargaretLotto.com, by phone at 1-866-631-1234, by mail to the Toronto office, or in person at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (610 University Ave, Toronto). Online is the fastest option, and tickets are typically delivered digitally.
For Canadians outside Ontario who still want regular lottery action, platforms like XO Lotto offer access to Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch cards from anywhere in the country — no provincial restrictions.
What Happens If You Win the Princess Margaret Lottery?
All Princess Margaret lottery winners are notified in writing within two weeks of their draw date. A searchable winners list is posted online at PrincessMargaretLotto.com, and top-value prize winners are announced live on CP24 on May 7, 2026. You can also call 1-800-542-8813 or email info@PrincessMargaretLotto.com to check results.
Prize winnings from the Princess Margaret lottery are not taxable in Canada — the full value is yours. For home prizes (the Thornhill Showhome, Toronto Condo, or Haliburton Cottage), the foundation covers all legal transfer costs. The property is transferred directly into your name.
A common question is whether you can sell a Princess Margaret home if you win. The answer is yes — once the property is legally transferred to you, it's yours to keep, sell, rent, or do whatever you wish. Many lottery winners in Ontario and across Canada have sold prize homes and taken the cash value instead.
If you want to stay on top of lottery strategies and winning habits, the key is to set a budget, play within your means, and treat every lottery — whether the Princess Margaret home lottery or a quick Lotto 6/49 ticket — as entertainment rather than an investment.
Play Lottery Year-Round from Anywhere in Canada
The Princess Margaret lottery is an incredible event, but it only runs twice per year and is limited to Ontario. If you're a lottery fan across Canada who wants regular chances to win, XO Lotto offers 22+ international lotteries, scratch cards, keno, and bingo — playable from any province, any day.
New players can deposit $10 and play with $30 at XO Lotto — a $20 bonus with no promo code required. Lotto Max jackpots regularly hit $70 million CAD, Powerball and Mega Millions routinely cross $500 million USD (roughly $680 million CAD), and XO Lotto's 40+ scratch card games offer instant wins with RTPs up to 96%.
The Princess Margaret lottery is a seasonal highlight. XO Lotto is the everyday option. Both can be part of a smart, responsible approach to lottery play in Canada — just set a budget and stick to it. Must be 19+ to play at XO Lotto. Deposits are fast via Interac, Visa, or Mastercard.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Princess Margaret Lottery
What are the odds of winning the Princess Margaret lottery?
The odds of winning any prize in the Princess Margaret lottery are approximately 1 in 30, based on 435,000 total tickets and over 15,000 prizes. The odds of winning the $8.5 million grand prize are 1 in 435,000 — dramatically better than national lotteries like Lotto Max (1 in 33.3 million) or Powerball (1 in 292 million).
How much are Princess Margaret lottery tickets?
Single Home Lottery tickets cost $100 CAD each. A 3-pack is $250, a 5-pack is $375, and bundles like the Mega-Pack ($525) include Home Lottery, 50/50, and Cash Calendar tickets together. The Mega-Pack+ at $600 adds Wanderlust tickets for complete coverage.
Is the Princess Margaret lottery only for Ontario?
Yes. Tickets must be ordered from within Ontario, and buyers must provide an Ontario mailing address. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Canadians in other provinces who want to play lottery online can access Lotto Max, Powerball, Mega Millions, and more through XO Lotto from anywhere in Canada.
Can you sell a Princess Margaret home if you win?
Yes. Once the property is legally transferred to your name — with all costs covered by the foundation — it's yours to keep, sell, rent, or renovate. Many past winners have chosen to sell the home and take the cash.
How do I find out if I won the Princess Margaret lottery?
Winners are notified in writing. A searchable list of all winners is posted online at PrincessMargaretLotto.com after the draw. Top-value prizes are announced live on CP24 on May 7, 2026. You can also call 1-800-542-8813 or email info@PrincessMargaretLotto.com. For other lotteries, you can check lottery results at XO Lotto.
When is the Princess Margaret lottery draw in 2026?
The Spring 2026 draw depends on ticket sellout timing. If all 435,000 tickets sell before midnight April 10, 2026 (Early Bird deadline), the draw happens April 21. If tickets remain, the final draw is May 5, with winners announced on CP24 on May 7, 2026.
Are Princess Margaret lottery winnings taxable?
No. All Princess Margaret lottery prize winnings are tax-free in Canada, including homes, vehicles, vacations, and cash prizes. This applies to all prizes in the Home Lottery, 50/50, Cash Calendar, and Wanderlust draws.
What is the Princess Margaret cottage lottery?
The princess margaret cottage lottery is the Early Bird Prize draw. The Spring 2026 cottage is a fully furnished lakefront property on Haliburton Lake valued at $2,619,000 CAD, plus $50,000 cash. You qualify by buying your Home Lottery tickets before the Early Bird deadline of midnight April 10, 2026.
The Princess Margaret lottery remains one of the best chances Canadians have to win a home — and every ticket supports life-saving cancer research. Whether you play the PMH lottery seasonally or enjoy year-round lottery at XO Lotto, play responsibly and within your budget.
🎰 Play responsibly. Must be 19+ to play at XO Lotto.
Responsible Gambling Resources
Follow XO Lotto: Facebook · Instagram · X (Twitter)