El Gordo, formally known as the Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad, is one of Spain’s biggest lotteries, held each Dec. 22.

For weeks, Spaniards had anticipated the arrival of "El Gordo" or "The Fat One." But unlike Santa Claus, El Gordo arrived three days before Christmas, before noon on Sunday. El Gordo is the first ...

Multiple tickets with the same number can be sold, and shops usually only sell one or two numbers, meaning those who win the largest prizes often live in the same area. El Gordo is held annually ...

Dozens of ticket holders queued through the night outside Madrid's Royal Theatre to watch the draw of El Gordo, which means ... out by schoolchildren in a live televised event.

Winners of the first prize in the 2024 Christmas Lottery 'El Gordo' Extraordinary Draw corresponding to the number 72,480 celebrate their luck at the Centro Deportivo Municipal San Blas.

Spain's 'El Gordo' lottery has been broadcast with millions of euros being given away in the Christmas draw. 'El Gordo' or 'The Fat One' is the first prize of Spain's hugely popular national ...

A spectator waits for the start of the annual Christmas lottery draw, known as El Gordo, or The Fat One, at Madrid's Teatro Real, Spain, on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) ...

MADRID (AP) — For weeks, Spaniards had anticipated the arrival of “El Gordo” or “The Fat One.” But unlike Santa Claus, El Gordo arrived three days before Christmas, before noon on Sunday.