Here’s the latest I can share based on recent reports.
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The National Lottery app and website were offline for a planned upgrade in late January 2026, with online ticket purchase and account access affected during the outage. Some outlets indicated the outage lasted around 24 hours, though reports suggested some services remained unavailable into Monday for some users. This aligns with operator Allwyn’s confirmation of a major digital systems upgrade [sources from late Jan 2026].
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What you can do now:
- Check retail outlets: You can still buy tickets at authorized retailers if online access remains unreliable in your area.
- Monitor status updates: The National Lottery’s official channels and major UK outlets typically post status changes and expected restoration times during and after upgrades [outlet coverage Jan 2026].
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If you’re troubleshooting right now:
- Ensure your app is updated to the latest version and try restarting the device.
- Clear the app cache or reinstall if you continue to see loading issues.
- Try accessing via the website on a different device or network to rule out local connectivity problems.
Note: There were multiple reports across different outlets about extended downtime during that upgrade window, with some users still experiencing access issues into the next day. If you need, I can pull current status from reputable outlets to confirm the present state and any ongoing maintenance details.[1][2][3]
Sources
The National Lottery website and apps will go offline for around 24 hours this weekend as operator Allwyn implements a major digital upgrade. The blackout starts at 11pm on Saturday, January 24, and will last until the end of Sunday, affecting 11.8 million active registered players. The latest National and International News - upday News
www.upday.comOne player congratulated The National Lottery on 'the worst upgrade'
www.gbnews.comBrace yourself for a National Lottery blackout from 2-4 August, as operator Allwyn carries out a major technology upgrade that will improve its systems.
www.lottery.co.ukThe National Lottery says it is investigating after users reported being unable to access its app and website.
www.centralfm.co.ukThousands of National Lottery players across the UK have reported problems of not being able to access their accounts.The app and website both appear to be down leaving players unable to get into their accounts ahead of the latest draws on July 20 and to see if they've won anything in the draws on J...
www.indy100.comThe National Lottery app and website are offline from 11:00 pm on Saturday, 24 January 2026, until the end of Sunday, 25 January 2026, as part of a major digital upgrade. Here is what still works during the outage, how Lotto and Thunderball draws will run as scheduled, how prize claims are handled, and what UK players should do while online services are unavailable.
westminsterpimliconews.co.ukThose hoping to participate this morning were greeted with the message: 'Sorry, our app is unable to load for you'
www.gbnews.comThe organisation says its services are back up and running and that the cause of the outage is being investigated
www.telegraph.co.uk