Game officials boost massive prize after final Monday ticket sales are counted
TRENTON, NJ – Powerball officially crashed through the billion-dollar barrier Tuesday, with game officials boosting Wednesday night’s jackpot from $975 million to a staggering $1 billion after final ticket sales from Monday’s drawing were counted.
The increased jackpot carries an estimated cash value of $433.1 million, according to the New Jersey Lottery.
Wednesday’s $1 billion prize ranks eighth among the largest Powerball jackpots in the game’s history.
It is also the largest U.S. lottery jackpot offered so far in 2026.
The increase adds another $25 million to the previously advertised $975 million estimated annuity jackpot.
Powerball officials made the adjustment after reviewing final ticket sales from Monday night’s drawing.
The next drawing is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. Wednesday.
It will take place at the Powerball draw studio in Florida and will be carried by participating television stations and streamed through Powerball’s website.
A Powerball ticket costs $2 per play.
Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom.
Players face odds of approximately 1 in 292.2 million of matching all six numbers needed to capture the jackpot.
The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9.
More than half of the money generated by each $2 ticket remains in the jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased to support locally designated programs and services, according to Powerball.
Since 1992, Powerball has generated an estimated $38 billion for programs that include education, scholarships, veteran services, parks and recreation.
In New Jersey, lottery profits currently help support the public employee pension system through a 30-year agreement enacted in 2017.
The New Jersey Lottery has contributed nearly $35.7 billion to the state since its launch in 1970.
Wednesday night’s drawing will now put one of Powerball’s biggest prizes ever on the line — an estimated $1 billion annuity jackpot or $433.1 million cash.
Key Points
- Powerball officials increased Wednesday’s estimated jackpot from $975 million to $1 billion after reviewing final ticket sales.
- The jackpot carries an estimated $433.1 million cash value and ranks eighth in Powerball history.
- The $1 billion prize is the largest U.S. lottery jackpot offered so far in 2026, with the drawing scheduled for 10:59 p.m. Wednesday.
