The Powerball jackpot increased to $81 million, with a cash value of $34.8 million, ahead of the Monday, August 24 drawing. No ticket claimed the prize in Saturday’s drawing, allowing the amount to grow.
New international participation
Monday’s drawing is notable because Powerball is expanding its market for the first time in years. Players in the United Kingdom can now purchase tickets that feed into the same jackpot as U.S. participants. British tickets cost £4 (about $5.32), and while they contribute to the shared jackpot, lower‑tier prizes follow a separate prize structure.
Recent record‑setting wins
The most recent large win occurred on August 12, when an Illinois player collected an estimated $1.040 billion prize. That win followed months of rollovers that produced one of the largest jackpots in Powerball history. Other notable jackpots include $2.040 billion in California (Nov. 7, 2022) and $1.817 billion in Arkansas (Dec. 24, 2025).
How to play
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be bought at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and, in some jurisdictions, online. Players select five white balls from 1‑69 and one red Powerball from 1‑26. A “Quick Pick” option lets the computer choose numbers. Adding a “Power Play” for $1 can multiply non‑jackpot winnings by 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or 10×.
Drawing schedule and results
Powerball drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night. The August 24 drawing will be held at 11 p.m. ET; the winning numbers will be posted by USA TODAY after the draw. The next drawing after that is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Powerball’s website and available later on its YouTube channel.
Eligibility
Players do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents to purchase a ticket. Anyone who meets the legal age requirement—typically 18 years old—can buy a ticket at an authorized retailer while in a participating jurisdiction.
International payout differences
U.S. winners may choose a lump‑sum cash payment or annuity payments over 30 years. In contrast, U.K. winners will receive annuity payments over 30 years through the U.K. National Lottery, reflecting the separate prize structure for lower‑tier awards.
As the jackpot climbs, the pool of potential players expands, especially with the new U.K. market participation. Whether you prefer to select your own numbers or let a computer generate them, the next drawing offers another chance at a life‑changing prize.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
