The Powerball lottery jackpot has surged to an impressive $1.8 billion for the upcoming drawing on Saturday, marking an extraordinary increase in prize money following a long stretch without a winner. The last time a player matched all six numbers was on May 31, leading to a streak of 41 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner. This latest amount positions Saturday’s prize as the largest Powerball payout of 2025 and ranks among the top jackpots in U.S. history.
The absence of a winner has steadily inflated the jackpot, which now stands as a significant figure in the lottery’s history. To put this into perspective, here is a breakdown of the largest lottery jackpots recorded in the United States:
1. $2.04 billion – November 7, 2022 (Powerball)
2. $1.8 billion – September 6, 2025 (Powerball)
3. $1.765 billion – October 11, 2023 (Powerball)
4. $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023 (Mega Millions)
5. $1.568 billion – January 13, 2016 (Powerball)
6. $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 (Mega Millions)
7. $1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 (Mega Millions)
8. $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 (Powerball)
9. $1.27 billion – December 27, 2024 (Mega Millions)
10. $1.13 billion – March 26, 2024 (Mega Millions)
These figures are calculated based on winners selecting the 29-year annuity option, and changes in federal interest rates have contributed to higher potential payouts. Although the odds of winning the jackpot remain unchanged at approximately 1 in 292 million, four of the five largest Powerball jackpots have occurred recently, coinciding with a period of elevated federal interest rates.
Players participating in Saturday’s drawing will have the choice of either receiving the full $1.8 billion as an annuity over 29 years or opting for a lump sum payment of approximately $826.4 million before taxes. Despite the substantial rewards, only one of the 69 Powerball jackpot winners in the last decade has selected the annuity option instead of the cash payout.
The Powerball lottery operates across 45 states and Washington, D.C., offering a variety of prizes ranging from $4 to $2 million. The odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 25, making it a popular choice among lottery enthusiasts. Since the rules were adjusted in 2015, which lengthened the odds of winning, the lottery has seen an average of six to nine jackpot winners each year, with all ten of the largest jackpots claimed during this timeframe.
As anticipation builds for the next drawing, many players are hopeful that they will be the next to claim a life-changing amount from the Powerball lottery, solidifying its position as one of the most lucrative games in the United States.
