The Powerball jackpot stands at an estimated $194 million for the Wednesday, April 1 drawing, with a cash option of $87.1 million. This follows a $250.8 million win in Arkansas on March 2, marking the first jackpot since then. Players across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands now eye the prize amid long odds of 292,201,338 to 1.
Drawing Details and Purchase Deadlines
Drawings occur at 10:59 p.m. ET on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with results posted after 11 p.m. on the Powerball website. Ticket sales cutoffs vary by state; New Jersey ends at 9:59 p.m., New York at 10 p.m. View the live broadcast on the lottery site or local TV stations.
Game Rules and Prize Structure
Each $2 ticket requires selecting five numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball from 1 to 26, or opting for a quick pick. Add Power Play for $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times when jackpots fall below $150 million. Prizes range from $4 for matching the Powerball alone to $1 million for five white balls, and the full jackpot for all six.
Cash Versus Annuity and Anonymity Rules
Winners choose between a lump-sum cash payout or an annuity starting with an immediate payment followed by 29 annual installments increasing 5 percent yearly. Anonymity protections exist in states like New Jersey under recent laws, while others require public disclosure of name and hometown. Meanwhile, Mega Millions offers $90 million with $40.1 million cash.
Top Powerball Jackpots Since 1992
- $2.04 billion, Nov. 7, 2022: California
- $1.817 billion, Dec. 24, 2025: Arkansas
- $1.787 billion, Sept. 6, 2025: Missouri and Texas
- $1.765 billion, Oct. 11, 2023: California
- $1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016: California, Florida, Tennessee
Largest U.S. Lottery Jackpots Overall
Powerball dominates recent records, but Mega Millions claims several billion-dollar wins. Tickets sell at gas stations, stores, and via apps like Jackpocket in select states including Arizona, New York, and Ohio. Odds of matching five white balls alone sit at 11,688,053 to 1, underscoring the rare path to life-altering wealth.
