The Powerball jackpot has once again captured the nation’s attention, climbing to an eye-popping $700 million ahead of Saturday night’s drawing after no player matched all the winning numbers in Wednesday’s round. That makes this upcoming drawing the 11th largest jackpot in Powerball’s long history, a milestone that is fueling excitement across the country as millions of hopefuls rush to buy tickets. According to lottery officials, the lucky winner will face a choice between two options: taking the full $700 million in annual installments spread out over 29 years or selecting the one-time cash payout, which is valued at $316.3 million before taxes.
Both options would transform someone’s life overnight, though financial experts often debate which is the smarter choice, depending on individual circumstances. Wednesday night’s drawing marked the 36th consecutive time that no one claimed the grand prize, a streak stretching back to May 31 when a ticket in California won $204.5 million. The winning numbers drawn on Wednesday were 31, 59, 62, 65, 68, and the Powerball 5, but while no one matched the full set, plenty of players walked away with significant prizes. Powerball reported that a Tennessee ticket holder who matched five numbers and also opted for the Power Play multiplier earned $2 million, while two other tickets sold in different states matched five numbers without the multiplier, netting $1 million each. Additionally, 30 players matched four numbers plus the Powerball to win $50,000 each, with eight of them doubling that amount to $100,000 by choosing the Power Play option.
These smaller victories illustrate why Powerball remains one of the most popular lottery games in America—because even when the jackpot rolls over, there are still opportunities to win meaningful amounts of money. Despite this year’s $700 million prize being huge, it has not yet reached the record-shattering levels of past jackpots. The largest Powerball jackpot ever recorded occurred in April 2024, when Cheng “Charlie” Saephan of Oregon claimed an unbelievable $1.3 billion. That historic win stands as one of the biggest lottery payouts worldwide and set a new bar for what’s possible. In comparison, the second-highest prize of 2025 so far was $526.5 million, won by a California ticket holder earlier in the year.
Still, $700 million is enough to spark dreams across the country, with office pools forming, long lines at convenience stores, and countless “what if” conversations about how lives would change with a winning ticket. Tickets cost just $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making the game widely accessible. Many states have also embraced digital options, allowing residents to purchase tickets online through official lottery websites or authorized retailers.
These expanded methods have made it easier than ever for people to participate, adding to the frenzy whenever jackpots soar. Players can also choose to add the Power Play feature for $1 extra per ticket, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to five times, making a $50,000 win potentially worth $250,000. In some states, another add-on called Double Play allows players to enter a second drawing with the chance to win up to $10 million, further boosting the appeal of a single ticket. For many, Powerball jackpots of this size become cultural events as much as financial opportunities.
Television networks, newspapers, and social media platforms buzz with coverage, while hopefuls share stories of what they would do with the money, from paying off debts and buying homes to donating to charities or fulfilling lifelong dreams. At the same time, officials caution players to remember the odds: the chances of hitting the jackpot are about one in 292.2 million.
Still, someone inevitably does win, and when they do, their story often becomes part of American lottery lore. Saturday’s drawing is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with live broadcasts and official announcements expected shortly afterward. As the jackpot balloons to $700 million, it underscores both the allure and the unpredictability of lottery games, where every ticket carries the hope of an extraordinary life change. Whether this weekend produces a new multimillionaire or extends the streak of rollovers into even larger sums, the anticipation is palpable. For now, players across the country are dreaming big, clutching their tickets, and waiting to see if fortune will finally strike.
