Lead
Saturday’s Powerball drawing on Jan. 3, 2026 produced the numbers 18-21-40-53-60 with the red Powerball 23. The advertised jackpot for that drawing was $64 million, with a stated cash option of $28.9 million. Separately, the $1.817 billion Christmas Eve prize sold in Cabot, Arkansas remains unclaimed; state rules give that ticket until June 22, 2026 to be collected. This update summarizes the result, explains how Powerball is played and notes the broader context around recent record jackpots.
Key takeaways
- The winning numbers for Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 were 18, 21, 40, 53, 60 and Powerball 23.
- The advertised jackpot for that drawing was $64 million; the cash option listed was $28.9 million.
- The Dec. 24, 2025 $1.817 billion ticket was sold in Cabot, Arkansas; the claim deadline is June 22, 2026 (180 days after the drawing).
- Powerball tickets cost $2 per play; an optional $1 Power Play multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.
- Powerball operates in 45 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and draws are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Online ordering through the Jackpocket courier is available in a subset of jurisdictions, including Arkansas, New York and Oregon, among others listed below.
Background
Powerball is a multi-jurisdictional lottery that pools ticket sales from participating states and territories to fund progressive jackpots. When no ticket matches all five white balls and the red Powerball, the advertised jackpot increases until a future drawing produces a winner. The game’s structure (five white balls from 1–69; one red Powerball from 1–26) and optional Power Play multiplier create a range of prize tiers and payout options.
Large jackpots over the past few years—culminating in multiple billion-dollar prizes—have driven record ticket sales and heightened media attention. The $2.040 billion jackpot on Nov. 7, 2022 remains the largest in U.S. lottery history; the $1.817 billion prize on Dec. 24, 2025 is the second-largest and, as of this update, remains unclaimed. States hosting winning tickets must follow local claim rules and timelines, which vary but in Arkansas explicitly allow 180 days from the drawing date.
Main event
The Jan. 3 drawing was conducted per the standard Powerball schedule. The numbers drawn—18-21-40-53-60 with Powerball 23—are the official combination for Saturday night’s game. The advertised jackpot stood at $64 million for that drawing; the cash-option figure the operator listed was $28.9 million. Officials did not report a single-ticket jackpot winner in the immediate aftermath of the drawing (no confirmed jackpot claim was announced at press time).
Ticket sales for each drawing include in-person purchases at retailers such as convenience stores and supermarkets, and, where permitted by state law, online orders through licensed couriers. Players can choose numbers or use the Quick Pick computerized selection. The Power Play add-on, for $1, applies only to non-jackpot prizes and can multiply those payouts according to the randomly selected Power Play multiplier for that drawing.
Separately, the unclaimed Dec. 24, 2025 $1.817 billion ticket sold in Cabot, Arkansas remains notable because of its size and the time-sensitive nature of state claim rules. Arkansas Lottery guidance sets a 180-day claim window for that drawing, which establishes a June 22, 2026 deadline to present a winning ticket and begin the prize-collection process.
Analysis & implications
Large jackpots have two immediate effects: they increase ticket sales (driven by heightened media interest and second-order coverage) and they concentrate administrative attention on claim processing and winner support. States that host winning tickets also face increased public scrutiny over security, verification and payout timelines. An unclaimed jackpot of $1.817 billion raises questions about whether the holder is unaware, prefers anonymity and delay, or has misplaced the ticket.
For state lottery systems, a prolonged unclaimed prize has budgetary and operational implications. Depending on local law, unredeemed funds may be returned to education or other designated accounts after the claim period expires. That legal pathway differs by state; in Arkansas the statutory framework governs how unclaimed winnings are handled and when funds are reallocated.
For players, high jackpots change the risk-reward calculation: the advertised amount (annuitized) and the lump-sum cash option differ substantially. The Jan. 3 advertised $64 million and its $28.9 million cash option illustrate how much smaller a single-payment option can be compared with the annuitized headline figure. Tax considerations, lump-sum versus annuity choices and legal advice are common issues that winners must address after claiming sizable prizes.
Comparison & data
| Rank | Amount | Date | State (ticket sold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.040 billion | Nov. 7, 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.817 billion | Dec. 24, 2025 | Arkansas (Cabot) |
| 3 | $1.787 billion | Sept. 6, 2025 | Missouri/Texas |
| 4 | $1.765 billion | Oct. 11, 2023 | California |
| 5 | $1.586 billion | Jan. 13, 2016 | CA/FL/TN |
| 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 lists the top 10 Powerball jackpots by announced amount and the drawing date. Comparing the Jan. 3 $64 million advertised jackpot to multi-billion-dollar events underscores the scale variance between typical rollovers and the rare, historic jackpots that draw national attention.
Reactions & quotes
Officials and industry participants offered short statements clarifying rules and the digital purchase options available to players.
“Winners in Arkansas have 180 days from the drawing date to claim prizes, so the Dec. 24 jackpot must be claimed by June 22, 2026,”
Arkansas Lottery (official)
Arkansas Lottery communications emphasize the statutory deadline and recommend that anyone who believes they hold a winning ticket contact lottery officials promptly to begin verification and payout procedures.
“Jackpocket provides an online courier service that allows users in supported jurisdictions to order lottery tickets and retrieve copies of their purchased entries,”
Jackpocket (company)
Jackpocket notes its role as a licensed courier in certain states and territories and reiterates age and jurisdictional restrictions for using its app. The company is identified publicly as the official digital lottery courier for some media partnerships.
Unconfirmed
- There is no publicly confirmed single-ticket jackpot winner for the Jan. 3 drawing as of this update; official winners are confirmed by state lotteries during payout processing.
- It is unconfirmed whether the holder of the Dec. 24, 2025 $1.817 billion ticket will come forward before the June 22, 2026 deadline or seek anonymity through legal counsel; those details remain private until a claim is filed.
- Availability of Jackpocket or other online ordering options varies by state and may change; users should confirm local regulations and platform terms before attempting an online purchase.
Bottom line
The Jan. 3 Powerball drawing produced the numbers 18-21-40-53-60 with Powerball 23 and carried an advertised jackpot of $64 million (cash option $28.9 million). While that prize is substantial, it sits far below recent record jackpots such as the $1.817 billion Dec. 24, 2025 prize, which remains unclaimed and carries a June 22, 2026 claim deadline in Arkansas.
Players should verify tickets promptly, understand claim windows and consult official lottery resources when seeking to collect large prizes. For those who play online through licensed couriers, confirm jurisdictional eligibility and the provider’s terms before purchase. High jackpots will continue to attract attention, influence ticket sales and prompt close administrative oversight of claims and payouts.