Powerball jackpot climbs to $146 million for September 2 drawing - Here's what Wednesday night's winner could take home

The Powerball jackpot is now estimated at $146 million for Wednesday night’s drawing, after no player matched all six numbers in Monday’s drawing. The advertised $146 million prize reflects the annuity option, which would be distributed through payments over 30 years. Winners who would rather receive their money upfront can choose the estimated $63.3 million cash payout instead. Neither figure represents the amount a winner would ultimately keep. Powerball prizes are subject to federal income taxes, while state and local taxes may also apply depending on where the winning ticket was purchased.

POWERBALL'S MASSIVE JACKPOTS CONTINUE IN 2026

Winning the top prize is notoriously difficult. To take the jackpot, a player must correctly select all five white balls plus the red Powerball. The odds of hitting all six numbers are approximately 1 in 292.2 million. Yet several enormous prizes have been awarded during 2026. The year's largest Powerball jackpot came on August 12, when a ticket purchased in Illinois matched every winning number and captured an estimated $1.04 billion prize. The jackpot had gone unclaimed for 44 straight drawings before the Illinois ticket finally ended the run.


That $1.04 billion prize ranks as the eighth-largest jackpot in Powerball history. The winner can receive the advertised amount through the 30-year annuity or take an estimated $450.5 million lump-sum payment, with taxes applying to either option. Other states have also produced major Powerball winners this year. A ticket sold in North Carolina won $209.3 million in January, followed by an Arkansas ticket worth $250.8 million in March. In April, a player in Delaware won an estimated $231 million jackpot.

HOW HIGH CAN THE POWERBALL JACKPOT GO?

Powerball prizes can grow rapidly when nobody wins the grand prize. Each unsuccessful drawing allows the jackpot to roll over, potentially adding millions of dollars to the next prize. The game's all-time record jackpot remains the staggering $2.04 billion prize won in 2022. Two other jackpots have surpassed $1.7 billion, reaching $1.817 billion and $1.787 billion in 2025.

Players do not necessarily need to win the jackpot to take home a large prize. Matching all five white balls, without matching the red Powerball, can result in a $1 million prize, before taxes. Power Play can increase certain non-jackpot prizes when that option is selected.

Powerball tickets are currently sold across 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. With such a broad reach and the possibility of jackpots climbing into the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, the game continues to attract millions of hopeful players whenever a major prize rolls over.

Powerball winning numbers for August 31

The winning numbers for August 31 (Monday): 11-17-25-37-49 and the Powerball is: 10. The Powerplay was 2X.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on September 2, Wednesday. 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

The Powerball ticket purchase deadline varies by state, so one shouldn’t wait until the last minute. In New Jersey, sales close at 9:59PM on the day of the drawing, while in New York, the cutoff is 10PM.

How to play Powerball?

Powerball tickets cost $2 each, with an optional Power Play for an additional $1, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 5x (except for the jackpot and Match 5), and up to 10x if the jackpot is under $150 million.

Each player chooses five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. A quick pick option is also available by the lottery machine which randomly generates numbers.

Prizes range from $4 for matching only the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California), and the jackpot for matching all six numbers.

How many states have Powerball?

Powerball is available in 45 states, along with Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, making it one of the most widely played lottery games in the United States.

How to buy Powerball tickets?

Powerball tickets can be bought in person at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased online through the Jackpocket app in select states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

The Jackpocket app lets players choose their game and numbers, place orders, view tickets, and collect winnings directly from their phone or home computer, providing a convenient digital alternative to in-person purchases.