Summary (tl;dr)

A single Powerball ticket sold in Quincy, Illinois, has won the massive $1.04 billion jackpot from the drawing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, making it the eighth-largest Powerball prize in history.

Essential Background

Powerball is a multi-state lottery game in the United States, played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Jackpots grow until a winning ticket matches all six numbers, often reaching hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, creating widespread public interest and high ticket sales. Drawings are held three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings.

The Full Story

Interest in the Powerball lottery surged as the jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.04 billion, making it the eighth-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The drawing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, resulted in a single winning ticket that matched all six numbers: 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the Powerball 9. This lucky ticket, sold in Illinois, secured the monumental prize with a cash option of $450.5 million before taxes. The winning ticket was specifically purchased at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh gas station located at 310 N. 36th St. in Quincy, Illinois. This win marks the first Powerball jackpot since May 2, 2026, ending a streak of 44 drawings without a grand prize winner.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords reflect immense public fascination and hope surrounding the possibility of winning a life-changing lottery prize. A jackpot of over $1 billion captures national attention, leading millions to purchase tickets and dream of financial freedom. This event also highlights the significant revenue generated for state programs, as over $21.5 million from Powerball ticket sales during this jackpot run went to Illinois' Common School Fund, supporting K-12 public education. For the community of Quincy, Illinois, the sale of the winning ticket brings excitement and a $500,000 bonus to the retailer.

Geographic Location

• Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 310 N. 36th St., Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, United States (location where the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot ticket was sold)