A single Powerball ticket sold in Illinois won a $1.04 billion jackpot Wednesday night, the eighth-largest prize in the game’s history.
The winning ticket matched all six numbers in the Aug. 12 drawing: white balls 4, 26, 66, 67 and 69, and red Powerball 9. The Power Play multiplier was 2.
The jackpot, which reached $1.04 billion after final ticket sales, is the largest Powerball prize won so far in 2026. It has a cash value of $450.5 million.
The winner can choose between an annuitized prize of $1.04 billion or a lump-sum payment of $450.5 million, both before taxes. The annuity is paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years.
“Congratulations to our newest Powerball jackpot winner in Illinois,” said Stephen Durrell, Chair of the Powerball Product Group and Executive Director of the Kansas Lottery. “For more than three decades, Powerball has shown that a winning ticket can be sold anywhere the game is played, giving every $2 ticket the chance to change not only a winner’s life, but generations to come. As participation continues to grow across markets, players are helping fuel larger jackpots and create even greater excitement for the game.”
Wednesday’s drawing was the 44th consecutive drawing in the jackpot run. The jackpot had not been won since May 2.
The run was also the first to include players from the United Kingdom after Powerball ticket sales launched there July 21. The expanded player base is expected to contribute to faster jackpot growth and the potential for larger prizes.
More than 3 million tickets won cash prizes in Wednesday night’s drawing by matching one or more winning numbers, according to Powerball. Lotteries are urging players to check their tickets carefully.
Tickets sold in Arizona, California, Florida and North Carolina matched all five white balls to win the Match 5 prize. The prize is $1 million in most participating jurisdictions. California prizes are pari-mutuel, meaning payouts are determined by ticket sales and the number of winners.
A ticket sold in Massachusetts also matched all five white balls. Because the ticket included the Power Play option for an additional $1, its prize increased to $2 million.
The $1.04 billion jackpot ranks behind a $1.08 billion jackpot won in California in July 2023 and ahead of an $842.4 million jackpot won in Michigan on Jan. 1, 2024, on the list of the 10 largest Powerball jackpots.
The record Powerball jackpot remains the $2.04 billion prize won by a ticket sold in California in November 2022.
The Illinois win is the sixth Powerball jackpot win of 2026. Previous jackpots this year were won by tickets sold in North Carolina, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Florida and Texas. Some drawings produced multiple jackpot-winning tickets.
The Powerball jackpot will reset to an estimated $20 million for Saturday’s drawing. Because the advertised jackpot is below $150 million, the Power Play 10X multiplier will be available.
