News writer
Halloween isn’t just about costumes, candy, and things that go bump in the night. This year, lottery players have something much bigger to get excited about: a $760 million Powerball jackpot. For 2026, Halloween falls on Saturday night, which means the holiday lines up with a Powerball drawing that could produce one of the biggest Halloween lottery winners ever. And that’s just the beginning. From spooky lottery numbers to special Halloween promotions, lotteries across the country are getting into the holiday spirit.
Could Halloween end a Powerball drought?
Saturday's estimated $760 million Powerball jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize of 2026, making this Halloween particularly exciting for players. There's also some interesting history behind the drawing.
The last Halloween-night Powerball jackpot win was reportedly back in 1998, when winning tickets in Rhode Island and Wisconsin split a $46 million prize.
Based on that information, if we happen to get a jackpot winner on Saturday night, it would end a 28-year Halloween drought. The $760 million prize would also be more than 16 times the size of that 1998 jackpot.
However, the actual payout would depend on whether the winner chooses the annuity or cash option.
Halloween lottery history has some big prizes
Halloween has produced memorable lottery moments beyond Powerball.
Mega Millions and state lottery games have held drawings on October 31 over the years, giving players opportunities to celebrate the holiday with something considerably sweeter than candy.
In 2025, the Mega Millions drawing fell on Halloween night. It was eerily similar to this year’s Powerball jackpot, having been at $754 million for the Halloween drawing.
Despite the excitement for that drawing, there was no Mega Millions jackpot winner on Halloween 2025. In fact, there have been six other times that Halloween fell on the same night as the Mega Millions drawing, and no jackpot winners have ever been crowned.
For this year's drawing, Powerball players will be watching to see whether October 31 finally produces another jackpot winner.
Lottery players get some Halloween treats
Several state lotteries are celebrating Halloween with special games and promotions.
The Georgia Lottery has featured Halloween-themed games including Spooky Match Multiplier, Pumpkin Plunder, and Boo-nanza Bucks, along with a promotion offering selected players bonus funds.
Meanwhile, the North Carolina Education Lottery has offered a Money Mayhem promotion featuring chances at $500 prizes through Halloween.
Players should check their state lottery's official website for promotion deadlines, eligibility requirements, and any remaining Halloween-themed games.
Are spooky lottery numbers really unlucky?
No Halloween lottery story would be complete without a little superstition.
The number 13 has long been associated with bad luck, while 666 has an especially eerie reputation. Some players might even consider combinations such as 10-31 to celebrate Halloween.
Interestingly, the Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Powerball drawing featured 13 among the white balls and again as the Powerball. Is that a sign of what may come on Halloween?
There's nothing magical or cursed about these numbers. Every eligible number has the same chance of being drawn, regardless of the date or its reputation.
For players hoping to turn Halloween into a millionaire celebration, Saturday's $760 million Powerball jackpot offers plenty of excitement without needing any supernatural help.
Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
