Powerball Jackpot Hits New High in 2025

This jackpot has a ways to go before it rivals the record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot we saw in December.

But it already ranks among the top twenty biggest Powerball jackpots ever. And if no one wins tomorrow,  it will be knocking on the door of the top-10 largest in history.

Here’s the list:

1. $2.04 billion – Won on November 7, 2022, in California. This is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever and was claimed by a single ticket holder.
2. $1.765 billion – Won on October 11, 2023, in California.
3. $1.586 billion – Won on January 13, 2016, split by three tickets sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee. This was the first lottery jackpot to surpass $1billion.
4. $1.326 billion – Won on April 7, 2024, in Oregon. This was another single-ticket win, delayed by technical issues.
5. $1.08 billion – Won on July 19, 2023, in California.
6. $842.4 million – Won on January 1, 2024, in Michigan.
7. $768.4 million – Won on March 27, 2019, in Wisconsin.
8. $758.7 million – Won on August 23, 2017, in Massachusetts.
9. $754.6 million – Won on February 6, 2023, in Washington.
10. $731.1 million – Won on January 20, 2021, in Maryland.

These record-breaking jackpots are elusive, but anyone can still win, which means the excitement surrounding the Powerball lottery will continue to build until the next batch of numbers is pulled on Wednesday.

How Does Powerball Work?

Here’s an easy guide to understanding how Powerball works:

• Ticket Purchase: Each play costs $2. Players select five numbers (white balls) from 1 to 69, plus one “Powerball” (red ball) number from 1 to 26. You can pick your own numbers or ask for a quick pick, where numbers are randomly selected for you.
• Drawings: Drawings happen three times each week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
• How to Win: To win the jackpot, you must match all five white ball numbers (in any order) plus the red Powerball number. There are eight additional ways to win smaller prizes, even if you don’t hit the jackpot.
• Power Play Option: For an extra $1 per play, you can add “Power Play,” which multiplies non-jackpot winnings (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or sometimes 10x). The Match 5 prize (all white balls and no Powerball) becomes $2 million with Power Play, regardless of the multiplier.
• Double Play (where available): For another $1, your numbers are entered into a second drawing (Double Play), for additional prizes up to $10 million. PowerPlay does not apply to Double Play winnings.
• Jackpot Payment Options: Jackpot winners can choose either a lump sum (cash value, typically about half the advertised jackpot) or an annuity (paid out in 30 graduated installments over 29 years, each 5% larger than the prior year).
• Odds: The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338 per play. Lesser prizes have better odds.

The Odds and the Dream of Hitting the Jackpot

Since Powerball adjusted its odds in 2015, the game has generally seen six to nine jackpot winners annually, with its ten largest jackpots all occurring post-change.

Despite the long odds, the allure of Powerball continues to captivate many.

A YouGov poll revealed that nearly a quarter of Americans regularly purchase tickets, hoping to become the next big winner. The eagerness is understandable, especially given that American lottery sales exceeded $100 billion for the first time in fiscal year 2023.

Why the Buzz?

Powerball’s popularity isn’t just about the astronomical prizes.

Unlike its counterpart, Mega Millions, which raised its price to $5 in April, Powerball has maintained its entry price at a relatively affordable $2 for over a decade in most regions. This accessibility allows more people to join in the fun and anticipation each week.

As the current Powersball jackpot teeters at a new 2025 high, many eyes will be glued to tomorrow night’s drawing. Whether for fun or hope of a life-changing payout, Powerball remains a staple of the American dream, offering a sliver of possibility each week to anyone willing to take a chance.

Get Your Powerball Tickets Online Through Jackpocket

DraftKings recently acquired Jackpocket, a leading lottery courier app.

Jackpocket allows customers in eligible states to securely order official Powerball, Mega Millions, and other state lottery tickets through their mobile device. This means you can now use the Jackpocket app—owned by DraftKings—to purchase Powerball tickets where available, but not directly through the main DraftKings sportsbook or casino app.