Biggest Powerball Jackpots in History – and Where $440M Fits
From the world-record US$2.04 billion in 2022 to the US$1.04 billion won in Illinois in August 2026, Powerball has produced the largest lottery prizes ever seen. Here are the biggest Powerball jackpots on record, with their cash values, and how this weekend's US$440 million compares.
Powerball is the game behind the largest lottery prize in history. With this weekend's jackpot at US$440 million, it is a good moment to look back at the biggest Powerball jackpots ever won – and to see how far the current run still has to go to reach that league.
Record Powerball Jackpots at a Glance
The figures below are the official estimated jackpots (annuity values) and cash values published for each drawing, together with the states where the winning tickets were sold:
| Drawing | Jackpot | Cash value | Winning ticket(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 November 2022 | US$2.04 billion | US$997.6 million | 1 – California |
| 24 December 2025 | US$1.82 billion | US$834.9 million | 1 – Arkansas |
| 6 September 2025 | US$1.79 billion | US$820.6 million | 2 – Missouri, Texas |
| 11 October 2023 | US$1.76 billion | US$774.1 million | 1 – California |
| 13 January 2016 | US$1.59 billion | US$983.5 million | 3 – California, Florida, Tennessee |
| 6 April 2024 | US$1.33 billion | US$621.0 million | 1 – Oregon |
| 19 July 2023 | US$1.08 billion | US$558.1 million | 1 – California |
| 12 August 2026 | US$1.04 billion | US$450.5 million | 1 – Illinois |
The Record: US$2.04 Billion in November 2022
The Powerball record jackpot of US$2.04 billion was won by a single ticket sold in Altadena, California. It remains the largest lottery jackpot ever won anywhere in the world. Interestingly, its cash value of US$997.6 million was higher than that of several later jackpots with similar headline figures – a reminder that cash values depend on interest rates at the time of the drawing.
2025: Two Huge Jackpots in One Year
In 2025 Powerball produced two of its three biggest prizes. In September, two tickets – from Missouri and Texas – shared US$1.79 billion. Then, on Christmas Eve, a single ticket from Arkansas took US$1.82 billion, the second-largest Powerball jackpot ever.
The Latest Billion-Dollar Win: August 2026
The most recent jackpot of more than US$1 billion fell on 12 August 2026, when a single ticket from Illinois matched 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 and Powerball 9 to win an estimated US$1.04 billion. That win reset the jackpot and started the run that has now reached US$440 million.
How the Record Moved Over Time
For almost seven years, the US$1.59 billion jackpot shared by three tickets in January 2016 was the benchmark. It was finally surpassed by the US$2.04 billion prize in November 2022, and since then several more jackpots have also passed the 2016 figure, including both of the giant 2025 prizes.
Not Every Big Jackpot Hit a Billion
Before billion-dollar prizes became familiar, a few drawings set records of their own. On 18 May 2013, one ticket from Florida won an estimated US$591 million (cash value US$370.9 million). More recently, on 1 January 2024, a ticket from Michigan won US$842 million, with a cash value of US$425.2 million.
Where Does US$440 Million Fit?
At US$440 million, Saturday's jackpot would need to grow to more than twice its size to join the billion-dollar list above. On the other hand, the cash value of US$183.1 million is already a life-changing amount, and the jackpot has grown by roughly US$420 million in seven weeks of rollovers. Big runs tend to accelerate, because higher jackpots attract more ticket sales, which feed the prize faster.
What Do the Biggest Jackpots Have in Common?
- Long rollover streaks. Billion-dollar prizes only appear after many consecutive drawings without a winner.
- Single winners are common. Most of the jackpots in the table were won by just one ticket.
- The cash value is roughly half or less. Winners choosing the lump sum receive considerably less than the headline amount.
Record Powerball Jackpots – FAQ
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?
US$2.04 billion, won in California on 7 November 2022.
When was the last billion-dollar Powerball jackpot?
On 12 August 2026, when an Illinois ticket won an estimated US$1.04 billion.
Want a shot at the next big one? Play Powerball online in Saturday's US$440 million drawing, or read the Powerball rules.
