The Powerball jackpot has surged once again, capturing nationwide attention as it climbs to an estimated $700 million ahead of Saturday night’s drawing, marking the 11th largest prize in the game’s history. This massive jackpot comes after Wednesday’s drawing failed to produce a grand prize winner, extending the streak of consecutive drawings without a jackpot hit to 36 since May 31, when a $204.5 million winning ticket was claimed in California.
The numbers drawn on Wednesday were 31, 59, 62, 65, 68, with the Powerball number 5, but none matched the full set required to secure the grand prize. The winner of Saturday’s drawing, if there is one, will face the enviable decision of choosing between the full $700 million prize paid out in annual installments over 29 years or a one-time lump sum cash option valued at approximately $316.3 million before taxes, according to Powerball officials. While Wednesday’s draw did not yield a jackpot winner, it did produce multiple other winners across the country. A player in Tennessee matched five numbers and also selected the Power Play option, which doubled their winnings to an impressive $2 million.
Two other tickets, sold in different states, matched five numbers without the Power Play, earning their holders $1 million each. Beyond these major wins, 30 additional tickets matched four numbers plus the Powerball, each worth $50,000, and among them, eight players doubled their winnings to $100,000 by opting for the Power Play feature. The excitement surrounding this jackpot reflects not only its massive size but also the growing anticipation as players across the nation rush to purchase tickets. At $2 per play, tickets are available in 45 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Some states even allow players to buy tickets online through official lottery websites or licensed retailers, adding convenience for those unable to make it to a physical location. Players also have the option of adding the Power Play feature for an additional dollar, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to five times, significantly boosting winnings at all levels below the grand prize. In certain jurisdictions, another add-on known as Double Play is available for $1 more, giving players the chance to enter a separate drawing with a top prize of up to $10 million. The buzz around this jackpot is amplified by comparisons to past record-breaking wins.
Just last year in April 2024, Cheng “Charlie” Saephan of Oregon claimed an astonishing $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot, the largest in the game’s history, cementing his win as one of the most remarkable lottery stories ever. While this year’s $700 million jackpot does not yet rival that colossal figure, it easily surpasses other prizes awarded in 2025, including the $526.5 million jackpot won earlier this year in California. The rising jackpot highlights the unpredictable nature of Powerball, where each drawing holds the potential for life-changing winnings. The allure is not just in the grand prize but also in the game’s ability to deliver substantial secondary prizes, keeping players engaged even when the jackpot rolls over.
With 36 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner, the anticipation for Saturday night is reaching fever pitch, as millions of players hope to be the one to finally break the streak. As usual, the official drawing will take place at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with the results broadcast live and posted shortly afterward on Powerball’s official platforms. Lottery officials caution players to remember the odds—roughly 1 in 292.2 million to win the jackpot—yet history shows that winners do emerge, and when they do, their lives are transformed overnight. The game’s massive jackpots often spark national conversation, fueling dreams and office pool ticket purchases while simultaneously boosting lottery revenue for state programs that benefit from ticket sales.
For now, all eyes are on Saturday’s drawing as the jackpot hits $700 million, with millions of Americans buying tickets in hopes of being the next big winner. Whether someone claims the fortune this weekend or the prize continues to roll over to even greater heights, Powerball’s hold on the public imagination remains undeniable, offering the tantalizing possibility that in a matter of minutes, one lucky player’s life could change forever.
