Millions of Premium Bond holders will have to wait a little longer this month to find out whether they have won a prize, after NS&I moved the August 2026 draw.
Because August 1 falls on a weekend, the draw will now be held on Monday, August 3. The two £1 million jackpot winners will learn of their windfall that day, while other prize winners can check from Tuesday, August 4, when the online Prize Checker and app are updated.
6.4 million prizes in August draw
The August draw is expected to pay out more than 6.4 million prizes, with a total prize fund of around £447 million. Alongside the two £1 million prizes, there will be awards of £100,000, £50,000, £25,000 and thousands of smaller tax-free prizes down to £25.
Customers who have registered for notifications may receive an email or text from NS&I if they have won. Those alerts do not reveal the prize amount, so savers will still need to use the Prize Checker to find out how much they have received.
Checking and eligibility
The quickest way to check is through the official NS&I Prize Checker, available online and through the Premium Bonds app. According to NS&I, the checker also shows prizes won in the previous six draws, along with any older unclaimed prizes linked to a holder's number.
Anyone hoping to take part in future draws should remember that newly purchased Premium Bonds are not entered immediately. NS&I says bonds must be held for one full calendar month before they become eligible for a prize draw.
No effect on chances
The delay may leave savers waiting an extra couple of days, but it will not affect their chances of winning. Premium Bonds continue to offer tax-free prizes backed by HM Treasury, with savers able to hold up to £50,000 worth of bonds.
Even if no notification arrives this month, it could still be worth checking the account. NS&I says there is no time limit to claim a Premium Bonds prize, with thousands of winning prizes remaining unclaimed because customers have moved house or failed to update their contact details.
