Powerball Jackpot Hits $786 Million, Now Among the Top 10 Biggest Ever
Powerball Jackpot Climbs to $786 Million, Enters Top 10 Largest in History
The Powerball jackpot has reached an estimated $786 million for the Wednesday, August 5, 2026 drawing, making it one of the biggest prizes ever offered in the game's history. The lump-sum cash option is estimated at $341.6 million.
🚀 Why This Jackpot Is a Big Deal
- Estimated jackpot: $786 million
- Cash option: $341.6 million
- Would rank No. 9 among the largest Powerball jackpots ever if won
- Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Top 10 Biggest Powerball Jackpots
Here are the largest Powerball prizes ever recorded:
- $2.04 billion – California (November 7, 2022)
- $1.817 billion – Arkansas (December 24, 2025)
- $1.787 billion – Missouri & Texas (September 6, 2025)
- $1.765 billion – California (October 11, 2024)
- $1.586 billion – California, Florida & Tennessee (January 13, 2016)
- $1.326 billion – Oregon (April 6, 2024)
- $1.08 billion – California (July 19, 2023)
- $842.4 million – Michigan (January 1, 2024)
- $786 million – Current jackpot
- $768.4 million – Wisconsin (March 27, 2019)
A Look Back at Lottery History
Powerball became the first U.S. lottery to break the $1 billion mark in January 2016 after weeks of rollovers. The jackpot eventually soared to $1.586 billion, with three winning tickets sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee, setting a record at the time.
Since then, Powerball and Mega Millions have produced 13 jackpots worth at least $1 billion, including the massive $1.787 billion Powerball prize won in September 2025.
Ohio's Biggest Lottery Winners
Ohio's largest lottery jackpot came through Mega Millions, when Brian C. Mulhall claimed a $372 million prize in December 2019 after purchasing the ticket in Mentor.
The state's biggest Powerball win happened in June 2010, when an anonymous winner claimed a $261.6 million jackpot from a ticket sold in Sunbury. The winner chose the lump-sum payout of $135 million before taxes.
When Is the Next Powerball Drawing?
The next drawing is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with the jackpot standing at $786 million.
How Much Does a Powerball Ticket Cost?
A standard Powerball ticket costs $2 per play. Players can also add the Power Play option for $1 extra, giving non-jackpot prizes a chance to be multiplied by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.