Powerball winning numbers for Dec. 20, 2025 — $1.5 billion jackpot

Saturday night’s Powerball drawing on Dec. 20, 2025 produced a winning sequence that pushed the top prize to an extraordinary $1.5 billion. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 28, 52 and 69 with Powerball 20 at the 11 p.m. ET drawing; a matching ticket would be eligible for a one-time cash payment of $686.5 million before taxes. The prize reached this level after 45 consecutive rollovers following the Sept. 6, 2025 drawing when two tickets — sold in Missouri and Texas — split a $1.787 billion jackpot. Officials and retailers reported heavy interest around the holiday weekend as players chased one of the largest prizes in U.S. lottery history.

Key takeaways

• The Dec. 20, 2025 winning numbers: 4-5-28-52-69 and Powerball 20; jackpot: $1.5 billion.
• The advertised annuity jackpot stands at $1.5 billion; the lump-sum (cash) option is $686.5 million before taxes.
• This jackpot followed 45 consecutive rollovers since Sept. 6, 2025, when two tickets in Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion prize.
• Powerball tickets cost $2; the optional Power Play costs $1 and multiplies non-jackpot prizes (2X–10X).
• Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights; if no jackpot winner is confirmed, the prize continues to grow.
• Jackpocket sponsored the published winning numbers and operates as an official digital lottery courier in multiple U.S. states and territories.

Background

Powerball is administered through a multi-state compact and is designed to produce large, headline-grabbing jackpots when top prizes go unclaimed. Large jackpots typically arise from repeated rollovers, which increase ticket sales as public attention builds and more people buy entries in hopes of a life-changing payout. The game’s design — five white balls from 1–69 plus a red Powerball from 1–26 — constrains jackpot odds, so long losing streaks are statistically possible and have produced several historic payouts.

Since the modern Powerball format was adopted, the game has set multiple records for biggest prizes. The $1.787 billion pool on Sept. 6, 2025 (split by tickets sold in Missouri and Texas) remains among the largest single jackpots; the Nov. 7, 2022 prize of $2.04 billion is the largest to date. State lottery commissions typically allocate a share of ticket revenue to education and other programs, which makes every major jackpot also a focal point for public-policy discussion about gambling revenues and social impacts.

Main event

The official drawing took place Saturday at 11 p.m. ET and the numbers announced were 4, 5, 28, 52 and 69, with the Powerball number 20. At the time of the drawing the advertised annuity jackpot stood at $1.5 billion; the one-time cash alternative was published as $686.5 million before federal and state taxes. Lottery officials caution that jackpot claims require verification of a physical ticket and that prize payments follow state rules on taxation and anonymity.

No immediately confirmed jackpot winner was announced in the Dec. 20 broadcast; if a ticket matching all six numbers is later validated, the holder will choose between the advertised annuity or the stated cash option and begin the claims process under the relevant state lottery’s procedures. Retailers and third-party courier services such as Jackpocket reported heavy sales in the hours leading up to the drawing, especially on Saturday afternoon and evening.

The recent stretch of rollovers — 45 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner since Sept. 6, 2025 — is notable for its length and for the high public visibility it generated. Large rollovers typically drive spikes in sales that can push jackpots even higher, in turn fueling more media coverage and participation. Authorities remind players to play responsibly; many jurisdictions publish resources and helplines for problem gambling.

Analysis & implications

A $1.5 billion headline jackpot has short-term and longer-term effects. Immediately, it increases consumer spending on lottery tickets and generates substantial free media exposure for participating lotteries and for digital couriers that facilitate play. That revenue translates into larger transfers to state programs earmarked by lottery law, but the distribution varies by state and is subject to legislative rules and administrative decisions.

For a potential winner, the decision between annuity and lump sum is consequential. The annuity pays the full advertised amount over a defined period (typically 29 or 30 years, depending on the plan), while the lump-sum cash option offers immediate liquidity at a discounted present value — here published as $686.5 million before taxes. Financial advisers generally recommend structured planning, estate counsel and tax strategy for prizeholders given the complex federal and state tax consequences and the risk of rapid wealth dissipation without professional management.

Public-policy debates often intensify around very large jackpots. Critics point to the regressive nature of lottery spending — lower-income households spend a higher share of income on tickets — while supporters highlight the funds directed to public goods such as education. High-profile jackpots also raise questions about retailer security, prize-claim anonymity laws, and the capacity of state systems to process and audit large claims transparently.

Comparison & data

The table above places the Dec. 20 prize among the five largest Powerball jackpots on record. While headline amounts reflect advertised annuities, lump-sum values vary and are substantially lower once taxes and state obligations are applied. Historical comparisons show that multi-billion-dollar jackpots tend to follow long rollover streaks and concentrated media attention.

Reactions & quotes

Officials and third-party services responded quickly after the drawing. Lottery administrators reiterated the claim process and encouraged ticket-holders to verify their tickets carefully.

To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls plus the red Powerball, and prizes must be claimed according to state lottery rules.

Powerball (official rules)

Digital couriers emphasized convenience and compliance with state laws for online orders.

Jackpocket provides a digital courier service that lets customers order and manage lottery tickets in authorized states through its app and web platform.

Jackpocket (company statement)

Lottery retailers noted elevated foot traffic and last-minute purchases, particularly on the afternoon of Dec. 20 as players rushed to buy tickets before the 11 p.m. ET cutoff.

Unconfirmed

• No official confirmation of a jackpot claimant had been announced immediately after the Dec. 20 drawing; any later claim must be validated by the appropriate state lottery.
• Detailed ticket-sales figures for the Dec. 20 drawing were not published at the time of this update and remain pending release by state lotteries.
• Any specific identity, location or intentions of a potential winner are unconfirmed until formally presented to the responsible state lottery and publicly disclosed (if required by law).

Bottom line

The Dec. 20, 2025 Powerball drawing produced a $1.5 billion advertised jackpot with winning numbers 4-5-28-52-69 and Powerball 20; the lump-sum option was published at $686.5 million before taxes. That level of prize money brings intense media attention, higher ticket sales and renewed public debate about the social and fiscal effects of large-state lotteries.

Players should verify tickets carefully and follow state procedures for claims; financial and legal counsel is strongly recommended for anyone who plans to claim a major prize. Watch for official updates from the relevant state lottery commission for claims information and for final confirmation on whether the jackpot was claimed.

Sources

• USA TODAY (news report)
• Powerball / Multi-State Lottery Association (official game information)
• Jackpocket (company / digital courier terms)