Powerball Explained Like You’re 5: Everything About the July 11, 2026 Drawing

Updated July 11, 2026, 11:02 p.m. ET

What Is Powerball and What’s the Latest News?

Powerball is a big lottery game (think of a giant piggy‑bank contest) where you pick numbers and can win huge piles of money. Here’s the latest news in super‑simple terms:

• The top prize (called the jackpot) for the Saturday, July 11 drawing grew to $457 million. If you wanted the money right away instead of over time, it would be $202.8 million in cash.
• Powerball started in 1992. Since then, the big jackpot has been won more than 400 times.
• Some states have been extra lucky: Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have the most tickets that won the giant prize.
• On Wednesday (just before July 11), nobody won the huge jackpot, but one person in Texas won $1 million.
• The last time someone won the top prize was on May 2, when two players shared $20 million.

Important Point: This story was updated with new information, and the July 11 drawing is the main focus.

The Winning Numbers for the July 11 Powerball

If you played for the July 11 drawing, here are the magic numbers:

Callout: The winning numbers were 59‑45‑08‑14‑10 and the red Powerball was 05.

(An image in the original article showed a New Jersey lottery ticket from April 2026 at a convenience store—just a picture of what a real ticket looks like.)

Do You Have to Be a U.S. Citizen to Play?

Short answer: No! You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or even live in the U.S. to play.

Here’s how it works in kid‑friendly language:

• Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• If you are visiting those places, anyone (no matter their nationality) can buy a ticket from a licensed shop if they are old enough (usually 18 years old).

Top 10 Biggest Powerball Jackpots Ever

Just like a record book, here are the ten largest prizes ever won (exact amounts and places kept):

• $2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022 in California
• $1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025 in Arkansas
• $1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025 in Missouri and Texas
• $1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023 in California
• $1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016 in California, Florida and Tennessee
• $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024 in Oregon
• $1.080 billion on July 19, 2023 in California
• $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024 in Michigan
• $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
• $758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017 in Massachusetts

(There are also photo galleries showing past winners, but the list above shows the biggest money amounts.)

How to Play Powerball (Easy Step‑by‑Step)

Think of it like picking numbers for a chance to win candy—but the candy is millions of dollars!

1. Find a ticket seller: Go to a convenience store, gas station, or grocery store in one of the places mentioned (45 states, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands). In some states, you can buy online.
2. Pay the money: Each play costs $2.
3. Pick your numbers: You need six numbers total:
   • Five numbers from 1 to 69 (these are the white balls).
   • One number from 1 to 26 (this is the red Powerball).
   • Or use “Quick Pick” and let the computer choose for you.
4. Optional Power Play: For an extra $1, you can add “Power Play.” This makes any smaller (non‑jackpot) prizes bigger by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X.
5. Wait for the drawing: Drawings happen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights.
6. Win the jackpot: You must match all five white balls (in any order) AND the red Powerball.

Important: If nobody wins the jackpot, the money pot gets bigger and bigger for the next drawing!

Summary

Let’s wrap it up like a tidy package:

• The July 11, 2026 Powerball jackpot was $457 million (cash value $202.8 million).
• Winning numbers: 59‑45‑08‑14‑10 and Powerball 05.
• You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to play—just be in a selling location and be at least 18.
• Powerball has been around since 1992 with 400+ jackpot wins; some states are luckier than others.
• The biggest jackpot ever was $2.04 billion in California.
• Playing is simple: pay $2, pick 5 white + 1 red, optional Power Play, watch Mon/Wed/Sat drawings.

FAQ (Questions Kids and Grownups Ask)

1. Can I play Powerball if I’m just visiting the U.S. from another country?
Yes! As long as you are in one of the 45 states or territories that sell it, and you’re at least 18, you can buy a ticket. You don’t need to be a citizen.

2. What were the winning numbers for the July 11, 2026 drawing?
They were 59, 45, 08, 14, 10 for the white balls, and the Powerball was 05.

3. How do I win the biggest prize (jackpot)?
You need to match all five white ball numbers (1‑69) and the red Powerball number (1‑26). The order of the white balls doesn’t matter.

4. When are the drawings held?
They happen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one wins, the next drawing has a bigger jackpot.

5. What is “Power Play” and why would I want it?
It’s an extra $1 add‑on that multiplies your smaller (non‑jackpot) winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times, making little wins bigger.

This article is based on a USA TODAY report by Fernando Cervantes Jr., updated July 11, 2026, and rewritten in a super‑simple style so everyone can understand.