The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.5 billion for the December 20, 2025, drawing after no ticket matched all six numbers in the December 17 contest. The prize carries a cash option of $686.5 million before taxes.
No jackpot winner emerged from the December 17 drawing, where the numbers were white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, and 66, plus red Powerball 17. The Power Play multiplier stood at 4.
Six tickets matched all five white balls for $1 million prizes each, sold in Connecticut, three in New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Two additional tickets, one in Arizona and one in Massachusetts, included the Power Play option to double prizes to $2 million each.
In the separate Double Play drawing, a Florida ticket won $500,000 by matching all five white balls. Double Play, a $1 add-on, enters Powerball numbers into a second draw with prizes up to $10 million.
“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”
Saturday’s drawing marks the 45th in the current run, setting a record for the longest jackpot cycle in Powerball history. The previous jackpot hit September 6, when tickets in Missouri and Texas split $1.787 billion.
This represents the second time Powerball produced consecutive billion-dollar jackpots, following 2023 wins of $1.08 billion on July 19 and $1.765 billion on October 11, both in California.
Winners choosing the annuity receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual installments increasing 5 percent yearly. The lump sum offers the full cash value upfront.
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play, with optional $1 Power Play to multiply non-jackpot prizes and $1 Double Play for the extra drawing. Sales occur in 45 states, including Maryland, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In Maryland, players purchase tickets at thousands of retailers, such as convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. More than half of proceeds stay in the selling jurisdiction, funding state programs.
Maryland Lottery contributions support the General Fund, aiding education, public safety, health services, and environmental efforts. In fiscal year 2025, lottery profits reached $667.2 million statewide.
Nationwide, Powerball has generated over $37 billion for good causes since 1992, including education and infrastructure.
Drawings air live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time from Tallahassee, Florida, with streams on Powerball.com.
Overall odds of any prize stand at 1 in 24.9, while jackpot odds are 1 in 292.2 million.
Maryland joined Powerball in 2010, expanding multi-state play for larger prizes. Past local wins include significant prizes from retailers in areas like La Plata in Charles County.
The game’s matrix features five white balls from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball from 1 to 26. Matching all six claims the jackpot.
Prizes range from $4 for the Powerball alone to the top award. In California, lower-tier prizes are pari-mutuel based on sales and winners.
Recent rollovers highlight rare extended runs, driving ticket sales during holidays.