In a thrilling turn of events, the Powerball jackpot is soaring to unprecedented heights, now estimated at a staggering $1.60 billion following the lack of a winning ticket in the December 20 draw. This colossal prize ranks among the top five largest lottery jackpots ever in the United States. Should a lucky ticket-holder match all six numbers, they could walk away with a cash payout of approximately $735.3 million.
This monumental jackpot crowns what has been an extraordinary year for the Powerball lottery. In just 2025, the game has seen three significant wins: a jaw-dropping $1.8 billion prize was claimed in September, a $526.5 million jackpot was won in California in March, and Oregon celebrated a $328.5 million win in January.
Adding to its historic nature, this jackpot represents only the second occasion in Powerball’s history where consecutive jackpots have each surpassed the $1 billion mark. The first instance was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion prize was secured in July, followed by an astounding $1.765 billion jackpot in October. The current jackpot has been accumulating since September 6, when two winners defied the astronomical odds of 1 in 292.2 million.
With Monday’s drawing, this jackpot now stands as the fourth-largest in Powerball’s history and the fifth-largest ever seen in U.S. lottery annals, as per lottery records.
Remarkably, the seven largest Powerball jackpots have all exceeded the billion-dollar threshold, underscoring the massive potential of Powerball games, which are played across multiple states, thus allowing for such enormous prizes.
What are the largest Powerball jackpots?
The seven largest Powerball wins have all surpassed $1 billion. Powerball lottery games have potentially huge jackpots because they are played in multiple states.
- $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA
- $1.8 billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX
- $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – CA
- $1.60 billion (est.) – Dec. 22, 2025
- $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
- $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – OR
- $1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – CA
- $842.4 million – Jan. 1, 2024 – MI
- $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – WI
- $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA
What are the largest U.S. lottery jackpots?
- $2.04 billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA
- $1.787 billion – Powerball – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX
- $1.765 billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023 – CA
- $1.602 billion – Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023 – FL
- $1.60 billion (est.) – Powerball – Dec. 22, 2025
- $1.586 billion – Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN
- $1.537 billion – Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC
- $1.348 billion – Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023 – ME
- $1.337 billion – Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 – IL
- $1.326 billion – Powerball – April 6, 2024 – OR
When is the Powerball drawing?
The Powerball drawing takes place live at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The next drawing takes place Monday, Dec. 22.
How much is a Powerball ticket?
If you’re looking to test your luck, you can grab a ticket for $2 in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
