Powerball Drawing Tonight: Winning Numbers, Jackpot Size & How to Watch Live

The winning numbers for Wednesday night’s $1 billion Powerball drawing were 4 – 26 – 66 – 67 – 69 with the red Powerball 9 and a 2× Power Play. Lottery officials have not yet confirmed whether any ticket matched all six numbers, so players across the country should double-check their slips and keep them safe until results are certified. Why this Powerball drawing matters • Eighth-largest jackpot in game history: At an advertised $1 billion annuity ($517 million cash), Wednesday’s prize ranks just outside the record $2.04 billion set in 2022 and continues 2026’s string of giant lottery payouts. • Long rollover streak: The top prize has been growing since a $32 million win in early June, producing 30 drawings without a jackpot hit. Monday’s pull already stood at $929 million before rolling again. • Surge in ticket sales: Retailers from New York to California reported lines stretching out the door as casual players jumped in, driving odds-defying hope and record revenue for state lottery programs that fund education and public services. What happens next if nobody wins If no perfect match turns up, the jackpot will soar past the billion-dollar mark for Saturday’s drawing on August 15 at 10:59 p.m. ET. Exact figures will be announced Thursday morning, but early estimates suggest a leap to roughly $1.15 billion. Sales cut off 1–2 hours before draw time in most jurisdictions; check local rules to avoid missing the deadline. How to play Powerball 1. Pick five white-ball numbers from 1–69 and one red Powerball from 1–26. 2. Each $2 play has 1-in-292,201,338 odds of winning the jackpot; adding the $1 Power Play multiplies non-jackpot prizes up to 10× when advertised under $150 million. 3. Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Purchases must be made in-store except in the few states that offer official online sales. Payout options and taxes Winners choose between a 30-year annuity paid in rising installments or a one-time cash sum worth roughly half the advertised headline. Federal withholding starts at 24 percent, and most states levy their own income tax. For a $1 billion pot, the cash value would be about $517 million; after estimated federal withholding, the take-home drops to roughly $393 million before any state bite. Second-chance prizes still life-changing Even without the jackpot, matching the five white balls nets $1 million (or $2 million with Power Play). Monday’s drawing produced three such millionaires in California, Maryland and Tennessee. Tips for responsible play • Set a budget before you reach the counter; the odds don’t improve with emotional spending. • Sign the back of your ticket immediately to establish ownership. • Store tickets in a secure place and photograph them for backup. • If you do hit it big, consult a financial adviser and attorney before claiming. Key dates • Next drawing: Saturday, Aug. 15 – 10:59 p.m. ET • Last day to claim Wednesday’s prizes: Check your state’s redemption window (typically 180 days to one year). • Cutoff to buy tickets: Varies by state, commonly 9:45–10 p.m. ET on draw nights. Bottom line Whether the billion-dollar jackpot is claimed within hours or rolls into even loftier territory, the Powerball drawing has already created thousands of secondary winners and fueled intense nationwide interest. Keep those tickets handy, verify your numbers, and, if Lady Luck missed you this time, the next shot at a historic payday is only days away.