Lead
Saturday’s Powerball drawing on Dec. 27 produced the numbers 62-5-34-39-20 with a Powerball of 1 and a 2x Power Play. The advertised jackpot for that drawing was $21.1 million, with a $9.2 million estimated cash value after a record $1.817 billion ticket sold in Arkansas on Dec. 24, 2025. The win ranks as the second-largest Powerball prize in the game’s history and has shaped ticket sales and media attention going into the weekend draw. This report summarizes the results, context, and what winners and players should know next.
Key takeaways
- Winning numbers for Dec. 27, 2025: 62, 5, 34, 39, 20; Powerball: 1; Power Play: 2x.
- Advertised jackpot: $21.1 million; estimated cash value: $9.2 million for that prize level.
- Earlier on Dec. 24, an Arkansas ticket matched the $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot, one of the largest U.S. lottery prizes.
- Powerball tickets cost $2 per play; adding Power Play costs an extra $1 and multiplies most non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x.
- Drawings occur Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; if no jackpot winner, the advertised prize increases until claimed.
- Tickets are available in 45 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; in some states online purchases are permitted.
- Jackpocket is listed as the official digital lottery courier for the USA TODAY Network and offers an app-based ticket service in specified jurisdictions.
Background
Powerball is a multi-jurisdictional lottery game drawn three times weekly by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Players select five white-ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball from 1 to 26; the jackpot requires matching all six. Over the last decade the game has produced multiple nine- and ten-figure jackpots, with the record $2.040 billion jackpot on Nov. 7, 2022.
State lotteries administer ticket sales and prize claims locally while MUSL oversees the drawing mechanics and prize structure. The annuity-versus-lump-sum choice and federal and state withholding rules are standardized in broad terms but can vary for winners depending on state tax laws and claimant residency. High-profile mega-jackpots typically spur increased retail and online ticket purchases, media coverage, and scrutiny about responsible gambling resources.
Main event
The Dec. 27 drawing produced 62-5-34-39-20 and Powerball 1, with a 2x Power Play multiplier. The announced jackpot for that night stood at $21.1 million, reflecting the amount available if the jackpot rolled as scheduled; the estimated immediate cash value was $9.2 million. Draw officials confirmed the numbers on the official Powerball schedule and participating lotteries posted the result to their channels shortly after the televised drawing.
This drawing followed the Dec. 24 sale of a ticket in Arkansas that matched all numbers to claim a $1.817 billion jackpot — one of the largest single-ticket wins in U.S. history. That earlier result affected public interest and retail traffic ahead of the weekend draw, and many retailers reported higher-than-normal sales in the days after the $1.817 billion win.
Retailers and authorized digital couriers reported standard post-draw procedures: tickets are scanned and validated locally, and jackpot claims are handled by the relevant state lottery. Smaller prize winners typically collect at retail or via state lottery claim centers; potential jackpot winners must follow state-specific verification and claim timelines, which can include notarization and waiting periods before public disclosure.
Analysis & implications
From a fiscal perspective, a $21.1 million advertised jackpot with a $9.2 million cash option illustrates how advertised annuity figures differ substantially from immediate cash payouts. Winners choosing the lump sum will receive a single reduced payment; those opting for the annuity receive payments over 29 or 30 years depending on the plan. Tax treatment further reduces net proceeds and varies by state, making early consultation with financial and tax professionals critical for any significant prize.
Economically, large jackpots tend to boost ticket sales across participating jurisdictions, fueling higher revenue for state lottery programs that fund education and other state initiatives. However, the spike in sales is typically short-lived and concentrated around media coverage. Regulators and advocacy groups often emphasize the need for problem-gambling resources during these spikes; lotteries routinely publish helplines and resources for players.
Politically and socially, mega-jackpots provoke debate about state-run gambling, allocation of lottery proceeds, and equity of lottery revenue use. While many states earmark lottery funds for specific programs, critiques persist about the regressive nature of lottery spending and the degree to which proceeds replace rather than supplement earlier funding streams for public services.
Comparison & data
| Rank | Amount | Date | State(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.040 Billion | Nov. 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 Billion | Dec. 24, 2025 | Arkansas |
| 3 | $1.787 Billion | Sept. 6, 2025 | Missouri, Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 Billion | Oct. 11, 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.586 Billion | Jan. 13, 2016 | California, Florida, Tennessee |
| 6 | $1.326 Billion | April 6, 2024 | Oregon |
| 7 | $1.080 Billion | July 19, 2023 | California |
| 8 | $842.4 Million | Jan. 1, 2024 | Michigan |
| 9 | $768.4 Million | Mar. 27, 2019 | Wisconsin |
| 10 | $758.7 Million | Aug. 23, 2017 | Massachusetts |
The table above places the Dec. 24, 2025 Arkansas $1.817 billion win in historical context alongside the game’s largest jackpots. The Dec. 27 $21.1 million advertised prize is modest compared with the multi-billion-dollar events but still represents a life-changing sum for many. Historical data show that jackpot size correlates with short-term sales spikes, and the distribution of prize winners across states varies depending on ticket volume and population.
Reactions & quotes
Lottery officials and private platforms issued brief statements clarifying procedures and services available to players. Below are representative, concise statements from official sources and industry partners.
Winners may elect either an annuity paid over 29 years or a reduced lump-sum cash option, as described on the official Powerball site.
Powerball (official site)
Powerball’s published rules and prize options guide how large wins are structured, and state lotteries provide additional claim instructions specific to each jurisdiction.
Jackpocket confirmed its role as a digital courier in jurisdictions where it operates and noted the app provides ticket ordering, storage and claim support where authorized.
Jackpocket (company statement)
Digital courier services operate under state laws and are subject to terms that vary by state; Jackpocket lists eligible states and terms on its site.
Responsible-gambling resources are highlighted whenever jackpots gain national attention to ensure players have access to help and information.
State lottery public information
Lotteries commonly publish helplines and resources to assist players who may experience gambling-related harm, particularly during periods of elevated play.
Unconfirmed
- It is not publicly confirmed whether the Arkansas $1.817 billion ticket-holder has identified themselves or completed the formal claim process as of this report.
- Any personal tax consequences for a specific winner depend on residency and state rules and have not been publicly disclosed for the Dec. 24 or Dec. 27 winners.
Bottom line
The Dec. 27 Powerball drawing produced the numbers 62-5-34-39-20 with Powerball 1 and a 2x Power Play; the advertised jackpot was $21.1 million with a $9.2 million estimated cash value. While smaller than recent multi-billion-dollar jackpots, this prize remains meaningful for potential winners and drives player interest across participating jurisdictions.
Winners should prepare for the procedural, tax and financial decisions that follow a significant prize: choosing between annuity and lump-sum options, consulting trusted financial and legal advisers, and following state lottery claim requirements. For players, the recurring lessons are the same — understand odds and prize structures, and use available responsible-gambling resources if play becomes a concern.