Will Tonight’s $68M Powerball Finally Crown a Winner?
Powerball Jackpot Grows to $68 Million: What You Need to Know for Saturday’s Drawing
Important Points to Remember
- Next drawing: Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:59 p.m. ET
- Current jackpot: $68 million (or $29.2 million cash)
- Tickets cost: $2 each in the U.S., £4 in the UK
- Drawings happen: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights
- You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to play or win
What Happened in the Last Drawing?
On Wednesday night, no one matched all six winning numbers. That means the jackpot didn’t get won — so it rolled over and grew bigger for the next drawing on Saturday, August 22. The top prize is now estimated at $68 million, with a lump-sum cash option of $29.2 million.
This comes just days after a huge milestone: UK players can now buy Powerball tickets for the very first time! This big expansion means millions more people are playing for the same jackpot.
Recent Big Winner
Before this current roll, an Illinois player won a massive $1.04 billion jackpot on August 12, 2026. That was the 8th largest Powerball jackpot ever!
When Is the Next Drawing?
| Day | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug 22 | 10:59 p.m. |
| Monday, Aug 24 | 10:59 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Aug 26 | 10:59 p.m. |
You can watch live on the Powerball website or check clips on their YouTube channel.
How to Play Powerball: Step-by-Step
Playing is easy — here’s how it works:
- Buy a ticket for $2 at a convenience store, gas station, grocery store, or online (where allowed).
- Pick your numbers:
- 5 white balls from 1 to 69
- 1 red Powerball from 1 to 26
- Want a boost? Add Power Play for $1 more. It multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x!
- Don’t want to pick? Choose Quick Pick — the computer picks random numbers for you.
- Watch the drawing on Mon/Wed/Sat at 10:59 p.m. ET.
- Match all 5 white balls + the red Powerball → YOU WIN THE JACKPOT!
Biggest Powerball Jackpots Ever Won
| Rank | Amount | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.040 billion | Nov. 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 billion | Dec. 24, 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.787 billion | Sept. 6, 2025 | Missouri & Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 billion | Oct. 11, 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.586 billion | Jan. 13, 2016 | CA, FL, TN |
| 6 | $1.326 billion | April 6, 2024 | Oregon |
| 7 | $1.080 billion | July 19, 2023 | California |
| 8 | $1.040 billion | Aug. 12, 2026 | Illinois |
| 9 | $842.4 million | Jan. 1, 2024 | Michigan |
| 10 | $768.4 million | Mar. 27, 2019 | Wisconsin |
Powerball Goes Global: UK Players Can Now Join!
This is Powerball’s biggest expansion in years. Here’s what’s different for UK players:
| Feature | U.S. Players | UK Players |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket price | $2 | £4 (~$5.32 USD) |
| Jackpot | Shared same jackpot | Same shared jackpot |
| Smaller prizes | Paid from main pool | Separate prize structure |
| Jackpot payout | Lump sum or 30-year annuity | Only 30-year annuity (via UK National Lottery) |
Note: UK ticket sales help grow the jackpot faster — but they have their own rules for smaller prizes and payouts.
Do You Have to Be a U.S. Citizen to Play?
Nope! You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident.
If you’re visiting any of the 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands where Powerball is sold, you can buy a ticket from a licensed retailer — as long as you’re at least 18 years old (age may vary by location).
Summary
- The Powerball jackpot is now $68 million ($29.2M cash) for Saturday, Aug 22 at 10:59 p.m. ET.
- No winner Wednesday → jackpot rolled over.
- UK players can now play — a first in Powerball history!
- Tickets cost $2 (U.S.) or £4 (UK).
- Pick 5 white (1–69) + 1 red (1–26) or use Quick Pick.
- Add Power Play ($1) to multiply non-jackpot wins.
- Anyone 18+ can play in participating U.S. jurisdictions — citizenship not required.
- Drawings: Mon, Wed, Sat at 10:59 p.m. ET.
FAQ
Can I buy Powerball tickets online?
Yes, in some states. Check your state lottery website to see if online sales are allowed where you live.
What happens if I win a smaller prize with Power Play?
Your prize gets multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x — randomly chosen before the drawing. The 10x multiplier is only available when the jackpot is $150 million or less.
If I win the jackpot, do I get all the money at once?
Only if you choose the lump-sum cash option. Otherwise, you get 30 annual payments that increase by 5% each year. UK winners only get the annuity.
What are the odds of winning the jackpot?
About 1 in 292.2 million — so it’s very rare, but someone does eventually win!
Can I stay anonymous if I win?
Depends on the state. Some states let you claim prizes anonymously; others require public disclosure. Check your state’s rules before playing.
Information based on USA TODAY reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Anthony Thompson. Always check official Powerball sources for the latest numbers and rules.