Powerball 2026: Winning Numbers, Jackpot, and How to Play

Powerball stands as a giant among American lotteries, known for its incredible, record-breaking jackpots. This guide is your complete resource for 2026, covering how to play, the prizes you can win, the odds, where to get your tickets, and a rundown of common questions. Whether you’re a seasoned player or simply curious, here is everything you need to know about the game.

How To Play Powerball

Joining the game is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:

1. Find an authorized retailer: You can purchase tickets at a lottery retailer in one of the participating states or, where permitted, through an official online platform.
2. Select your numbers: Choose five numbers from 1 to 69 (the white balls) and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. If you’d rather leave it to chance, you can ask for a Quick Pick.
3. Add Power Play (optional): For an extra $1, this feature can multiply any non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. The 10x multiplier is only available when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.
4. Purchase your ticket: Be sure to meet your state’s minimum age requirement to play.
5. Check the drawing schedule: Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.
6. Watch the drawing: Tune in for the live drawing or check the official websites for the results.
7. Claim your prize: Follow the prize claim process for your state before the deadline.

How Much Does a Powerball Ticket Cost?

A standard Powerball ticket costs $2. If you add Power Play or Double Play, each option adds $1, bringing the maximum cost to $4 per play if you choose both.

How to Win Powerball?

To win a prize, you need to match at least one of the nine winning combinations. The ultimate prize, the jackpot, is won by matching all five white balls and the red Powerball in any order.

How Many Numbers Do You Need to Win Powerball?

There are nine prize tiers in total. The table below details the winning combinations and the estimated payouts for each one.

Powerball Prizes and Odds

There are 9 distinct ways to win a prize in Powerball:

What is Power Play?

For an additional $1, Power Play is a feature that multiplies all non-jackpot prizes. Before each drawing, a multiplier (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) is randomly selected and printed on your ticket. The 10x multiplier is only a possibility when the jackpot is $150 million or less. Notably, if you match 5 numbers without the Powerball, Power Play boosts your prize to a fixed $2 million, regardless of the multiplier drawn.

What is Double Play?

Double Play is another feature available for an extra $1 in select states. Your numbers are entered into a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million, giving you an additional opportunity to win with the same set of numbers. It’s important to know that Power Play does not apply to Double Play prizes.

How Much is the Powerball Jackpot?

The jackpot starts at $20 million and increases with every drawing that doesn’t produce a winner. There is no upper limit, and past jackpots have climbed to over $2 billion.

Where Can You Play Powerball?

Powerball is available for play in:

• 45 U.S. states
• Washington D.C.
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

It is not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, or Utah.

Can You Buy Powerball Tickets Online?

Yes, but only in states that offer official online ticket sales. As of now, the following states allow online purchases:

• Georgia
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• New York
• Washington D.C.

Who Can Play Powerball?

To play, you must meet the legal age requirement of the state where you buy the ticket:

• 18 years old in most states
• 19 in Nebraska
• 21 in Arizona, Iowa, and Louisiana

Certain lottery employees and officials may have restrictions on playing based on state laws.

Can Foreigners Play Powerball?

Yes. Any person can play Powerball as long as they are physically located in a participating U.S. jurisdiction at the time of purchase. However, Powerball does not sell tickets outside of the U.S., and international resellers are not officially sanctioned.

What is “Just the Jackpot”?

“Just the Jackpot” is a special ticket option available in some states. It provides you with two plays for a reduced price, but these tickets are only eligible for the jackpot and cannot win any of the lower-tier prizes, making it a high-risk, high-reward choice.

Do You Win Anything If You Match Only The Powerball Number?

Yes. Matching only the red Powerball number wins you a fixed $4 prize, regardless of any other numbers. It’s the lowest prize tier but still a guaranteed win.

Do You Win Anything With One Regular Number?

No. Matching a single white ball does not result in a prize. To win, you must match at least the red Powerball or a combination that includes it.

Powerball Drawing Schedule

• Draw Days: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
• Time: 10:59 PM Eastern Time
• Location: Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee
• Results: Posted on the official Powerball website shortly after the draw

Final Thoughts

Powerball’s enormous jackpots and exciting gameplay make it one of the most popular lotteries in the U.S. Whether you’re checking numbers, looking for the next drawing, or buying your first ticket, this game offers unforgettable excitement and the chance for a life-changing reward.

Good luck, and please remember to play responsibly.