After smashing through the $1 billion mark, the Wednesday, Sept. 3 Powerball jackpot is an eye-popping $1.3 billion, making it the fifth-largest in the game’s history.
If someone matches all five numbers and the Powerball, they can choose a one-time cash payment of $589 million.
Although no one took the jackpot home on Monday, Sept. 1, there were some lucky winners. Two people in Montana and North Carolina took home $2 million, while 10 people in California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey (two), New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia took home $1 million.
The Powerball drawing on Wednesday, Sept. 3 marks the 41st straight drawing without a Powerball winner. The last time the jackpot was hit was back in May, when a ticket was sold in California.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 11 p.m. ET. You can watch the drawing on Powerball.com or on YouTube.
What are the top 10 Powerball jackpots?
- $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – California
- $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – California
- $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee
- $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – Oregon
- $1.3 billion – Sept. 3, 2025 – TBD
- $1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – California
- $842.4 million – Jan . 1, 2024 – Michigan
- $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin
- $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017 – Massachusetts
- $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023 – Washington
How to play the Powerball
To play the Powerball lottery, you need to purchase a ticket for $2. Tickets are available at various locations, such as your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. In some states, you can also buy Powerball tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered from 1 to 69, and one red Powerball numbered from 1 to 26. Additionally, you have the option to add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes.
The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to tick up.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online throughJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings — all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
