Powerball, Mega Millions jackpot: What you need to know if you win
Here’s what you need to know if you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
FAQ only, USA TODAY
After no one won on Monday, Dec. 22, the Powerball jackpot has once again increased to $1.7 billion, giving someone a chance to win a big prize in the next Powerball drawing.
This year has been a historic year for Powerball. Back in September, two tickets sold in Texas and Montana won the second-largest jackpot in the history of the game ($1.787 billion).
Last night’s jackpot reached $1.59 billion, making it the fourth largest jackpot in history.
Here are the winning numbers for Monday, December 22nd’s Powerball drawing.
Powerball winning numbers for December 22, 2025
The winning numbers for Monday, December 22nd drawing are: 3, 18, 36, 41, 54, and the powerball 7. The multiplier for “power play” is 2x.
The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.
Has anyone won Powerball?
No one won the Powerball jackpot or the $2 million Match 5 + Power Play prize, but nine people in the following states won the $1 million Match 5 prize:
wisconsin– 1 winner
florida– 1 winner
georgia– 1 winner
illinois– 1 winner
new york– 2 winners
ohio– 1 winner
pennsylvania– 1 winner
tennessee– 1 winner
To find a complete list of past Powerball winners, go to Click on the link to the lottery website.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next drawing will take place on Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, just after 11pm Eastern Time.
What are the top 10 Powerball jackpots?
- $2.04 billion – acquired in California on November 7, 2022
- $1.787 billion – won in Montana and Texas on September 6, 2025
- $1.765 billion – acquired in California on October 11, 2023
- $1.6 billion – no winner yet
- $1.586 billion – acquired on January 13, 2016 in California, Florida, and Tennessee
- $1.326 Billion – Earned in Oregon on April 6, 2024
- $1.08 billion – acquired in California on July 19, 2023
- $842.4 million – earned in Michigan on January 1, 2024
- $768.4 million – sold in Wisconsin on March 27, 2019
- $758.7 million – sold in Massachusetts on August 23, 2017
How to play Powerball
To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes.
“Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.
If you’re feeling unlucky or just want to let the computer do the work for you, you can take advantage of the “Quick Pick” option, where a computer-generated number is printed on your Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythese states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery games and numbers, place your order, view your tickets, and claim your winnings, all from your mobile phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. 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 Over the entire period.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
