Powerball jackpot jumps to $360 million for September 26 drawing - How much could Saturday night’s winner actually take home?

The jackpot prize for Powerball is currently estimated at around $360 million for Saturday night's draw, as no ticket was successful in matching all six numbers in the previous Wednesday draw. The jackpot winner who wins on Saturday would get to pick his choice between either taking the full $360 million by an annuity that will be paid out over 30 years or receiving a lump sum amount of $153.6 million in one shot. However, there is a catch as neither of these big figures will actually go straight to the hands of the jackpot winner, as the winnings from any lottery in the United States, including Powerball, are subject to taxation. A jackpot winner would have to pay federal income tax, while additional state and local taxes could also apply depending on where the winning ticket was purchased and where the winner lives.

POWERBALL'S MASSIVE JACKPOTS CONTINUE IN 2026

The chances of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million making it one of the most difficult jackpots to be won in any lottery game. However, despite the slim chances of winning, there have been some special jackpots that have been won in 2026. The highest jackpot that has been won in 2026 has been won in Illinois on August 12, where the ticket matched all six numbers hence winning the $1.04 billion jackpot. The jackpot had rolled over for 44 consecutive drawings before being won.


The Illinois lottery winner could get the payout in two ways. The announced price amounted to $1.04 billion, and the cash payout was about $450.5 million. Illinois is not the only state in the USA where a substantial winner of the Powerball lottery was observed in 2026. The prize of $209.3 million was estimated in January in North Carolina and the prize of $250.8 million was estimated in March in Arkansas. These massive prizes highlight just how large Powerball jackpots can become when no ticket matches all six numbers over multiple drawings.

HOW HIGH CAN THE POWERBALL JACKPOT GO?

This is due to the reason that the jackpot rises rapidly because of the failure of any individual to get the six numbers. The jackpot rises because it goes into the next round until it becomes millions or even billions of money. In the history of the Powerball game, the maximum amount of jackpot that has been ever won is around $2.04 billion in the year 2022. There have also been two jackpots of over $1.7 billion; one was $1.817 billion in 2025 and another one was $1.787 billion.

The winners need not necessarily pick all the six numbers to win big. The winner who picks all the five white balls but does not pick the red ball gets a prize of one million dollars before taxes. There is another option known as Power Play, which multiplies most of the non-jackpot prizes.

It is possible to buy tickets for the Powerball lottery in 45 states of the US along with Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Powerball continues to be popular for the reason that its large player base, large jackpots, and rollover feature. People who have bought their Powerball tickets develop anticipation for larger jackpots in each successive draw.

Powerball winning numbers for September 23

The winning numbers for September 23 (Wednesday): 05-15-26-29-30 and the Powerball is: 14. The Powerplay was 5X.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on September 26, Saturday. Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 PM ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

What is the Powerball payout?

• Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
• Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
• Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
• Match 4 White Balls: $100
• Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
• Match 3 White Balls: $7
• Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
• Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
• Match Powerball: $4
• Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
• Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
• Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
• Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
• Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
• Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
• Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
• Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

Deadline to buy Powerball tickets

Powerball ticket buying times vary from one state to another and, therefore, one should not take any chances. In New Jersey, ticket sales will end at 9:59 PM, but in New York, the sales will end at 10 PM.

How to play Powerball?

The cost of purchasing a ticket for the Powerball game is two dollars, while an extra dollar is required for the Power Play where non-jackpot prizes will be multiplied by five times and ten times if the jackpot is less than 150 million dollars.

Each participant selects his/her numbers ranging from 1 to 69 for the five white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the Powerball. Alternatively, quick picks are made by lottery machine.

The amounts of prizes differ from four dollars when matching just the Powerball to one million dollars when five white balls are matched (except for California).

How many states have Powerball?

Powerball tickets can be bought in 45 states, including Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In fact, it ranks among the most popular lottery games in America.

How to buy Powerball tickets?

The Powerball lottery tickets can be purchased physically at gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and some airport terminal shops.

The other method to purchase Powerball tickets is by using the Jackpocket app online in selected states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

Through the Jackpocket app, one can select the game of choice, pick numbers, order the ticket, and claim any winnings directly from the mobile phone or desktop computer.