Lots and lots of cash is up for grabs on the Monday, Aug. 25 drawing of the Powerball as an estimated $750 million jackpot continues to rise, making it already the tenth-largest-ever jackpot in the history of the game.
If someone matches all five numbers and the Powerball, they can choose a one-time cash payment of $316.3 million.
There have been four Powerball jackpot winners in 2025, most recently on May 31, when a person in California won the $204.5 million prize.
A lucky player in Oregon had the first jackpot-winning Powerball ticket of 2025, netting $328.5 million on Jan. 18. A second jackpot winner matched all six Powerball numbers on March 29, winning $527 million. A third jackpot winner from Kentucky won the $167.3 million prize on April 26.
Here’s what you need to know.
What are the biggest-ever Powerball drawings?
The ten largest Powerball jackpots have all occurred in the last nine years, starting with a $1.586 billion jackpot won by three winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee on January 13, 2016.
Here is a list of the top 10 Powerball jackpots in history.
$2.04 billion on Nov. 7, 2022, saw one winning ticket in California
$1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023, saw one winning ticket in California
$1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016, saw three winning tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee
$1.326 billion on April 6, 2024, saw one winning ticket in Oregon
$1.08 billion on July 19, 2023, saw one winning ticket in California
$842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024, saw one winning ticket in Michigan
$768.4 million on March 27, 2019, saw one winning ticket in Wisconsin
$758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017, saw one winning ticket in Massachusetts
$754.6 million on Feb. 6, 2023, saw one winning ticket in Washington
$750 million on Aug. 25, 2025
How to play the Powerball
To play the Powerball lottery, you need to purchase a ticket for $2. Tickets are available at various locations, such as your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. In some states, you can also buy Powerball tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered from 1 to 69, and one red Powerball numbered from 1 to 26. Additionally, you have the option to add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes.
The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to tick up.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings — all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the largest Powerball jackpot ever? $750 million up for grabs
