Summary (tl;dr)

A single ticket sold in Arkansas won the massive $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot in the drawing held on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history.

Essential Background

Powerball is a widely popular multi-state lottery game in the United States, known for its enormous jackpots. If no grand prize winner emerges in a drawing, the jackpot rolls over and increases for the next drawing, often leading to colossal sums that capture national attention. The jackpot had been growing for nearly three months, since the previous win on September 6, 2025, when two tickets split a $1.787 billion prize.

The Full Story

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Powerball drawing concluded with an estimated $1.7 billion jackpot, which climbed to a final value of $1.817 billion due to increased ticket sales, making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won. The winning numbers for the Christmas Eve drawing were 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball number being 19, and the Power Play multiplier at 2x. A single winning ticket, matching all six numbers, was sold in Arkansas, bringing an end to an unprecedented 46-drawing streak without a grand-prize winner. Beyond the top prize, numerous players nationwide secured significant smaller prizes, including eight tickets that matched five white balls to win $1 million each in states such as California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (two tickets), Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Why It Matters

The winning of such an extraordinary Powerball jackpot carries life-changing implications for the lucky individual, who can choose between an annuitized prize of $1.817 billion or a lump-sum cash option of $834.9 million, both before taxes. This event generates immense public interest, stimulating lottery ticket sales and contributing substantial revenue to participating states, which often use these funds for various public programs. The excitement surrounding these monumental jackpots captivates the nation, sparking widespread discussion about wealth, luck, and future possibilities.

Geographic Location

• Arkansas, United States (location where the $1.817 billion Powerball winning ticket was sold)
• California, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• Indiana, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• Michigan, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• New York, United States (location where two of the $1 million Match 5 tickets were sold)
• Ohio, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• Pennsylvania, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• Virginia, United States (location where one of the $1 million Match 5 tickets was sold)
• Colorado, United States (location where one of the $500,000 Double Play tickets was sold)
• South Carolina, United States (location where one of the $500,000 Double Play tickets was sold)
• Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $100,000 Power Play ticket was sold)
• Sunset Beach, Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $100,000 Power Play ticket was sold)
• Roxboro, Person County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold)
• Newport, Carteret County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold)
• Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold)
• Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States (location where a $50,000 Double Play ticket was sold)