Powerball jackpot climbs to $251 million ahead of Monday night drawing
The Powerball jackpot has rolled over again, giving players a shot at an estimated $251 million on Monday, Sept. 14. The cash option is valued at $106.6 million.
No ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night's drawing, extending a run that began after an Illinois ticket won a $1.04 billion jackpot on Aug. 12. Since then, the top prize has kept climbing past the quarter-billion-dollar mark as lottery fever builds nationwide.
For anyone thinking about buying a ticket before the next drawing, here's what to know.
When the numbers are drawn
The Monday drawing is scheduled for about 10:59 p.m. ET. USA TODAY will publish the winning numbers after they are announced. Players can also watch live on Powerball's website or catch replay clips on the official Powerball YouTube channel.
The next drawing is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at about 10:59 p.m. ET. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, giving players three chances each week to win the jackpot.
Jackpot at a glance
The estimated annuity jackpot is $251 million, while the cash option is $106.6 million. Winners typically choose between the annuity option and the smaller cash lump sum; either option is subject to federal and state taxes.
The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292.2 million, a reminder of how rare a top-prize win remains even as the total grows. Big jackpots also tend to draw more casual players, and retailers often see a rush in the final hours before a drawing.
A promise kept
Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney of Wisconsin once agreed to split future lottery winnings. Cook followed through on that promise when he won a $22 million prize on June 10, 2020.
More: Which Powerball numbers should you pick?
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores and other authorized retailers. Some states also allow online purchases.
To play, choose five white-ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Players can add Power Play for an extra $1 to boost non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times. Those who prefer random numbers can select the Quick Pick option.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five white balls, in any order, and the Powerball. If no one wins the jackpot, the prize rolls over and continues to grow.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to play?
No. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball. Anyone who is legally eligible and purchases a ticket from an authorized retailer in a participating jurisdiction can win, regardless of nationality. Players must meet the minimum age requirement where they buy the ticket, which is typically 18 years old but varies by location.
Largest Powerball jackpots
- $2.040 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 and Tennessee
- $1.326 billion — April 6, 2024, Oregon
- $1.080 billion — July 19, 2023, California
- $1 billion — Aug. 12, 2026, Illinois
- $842.4 million — Jan. 1, 2024, Michigan
- $768.4 million — Mar. 27, 2019, Wisconsin
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball jackpot hits $251M: Numbers for tonight