What you need to know about tonight's $1.25B Powerball jackpot

The Powerball jackpot has reached an estimated $1.25 billion ahead of tonight's drawing. Here's everything you need to know.

Longest streak ever

Tonight's Powerball jackpot represents the 44th rollover since this jackpot started accumulating in September. The last jackpot, $1.787 billion, was won on September 6 and split between two tickets in Missouri and Texas.

Back-to-back billion-dollar jackpot

This is only the second time in Powerball's history that billion-dollar jackpots have been generated back-to-back.

In 2023, $1.08 billion was won in July, followed by $1.765 billion in October.

Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair, stated:

Powerball has only seen back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays. While it's exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.

How will this jackpot rank?

Tonight's draw marks the 6th-highest Powerball jackpot of all time. Here are the highest Powerball jackpots of all time, ranked.

1. $2.04 Billion, Nov. 7, 2022, California.
2. $1.787 Billion, Sept. 6, 2025, Missouri and Texas.
3. $1.765 Billion, Oct. 11, 2023, California.
4. $1.586 Billion, Jan. 13, 2016, California, Florida, and Tennessee.
5. $1.326 Billion, April 6, 2024, Oregon.
6. $1.25 Billion, Dec. 17, 2025.
7. $1.08 Billion, July 19, 2023, California.
8. $842.4 Million, January 1, 2024, Michigan.
9. $768.4 Million, March 27, 2019, Wisconsin.
10. $758.7 Million, Aug. 23, 2017, Massachusetts.

How to participate

The $1.25 billion jackpot will be up for grabs through the drawing tonight at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

To win the jackpot or lower-tier prizes, players must purchase a ticket and choose five numbers 1 to 69. These must match all five drawn numbers, plus the Powerball for the big jackpot. Odds of winning are 292.2 million.

Tickets are $2 per play. For an additional $1, players can try their luck at Double Play, a second drawing with prizes up to $10 million.

If no one wins the big jackpot, it will roll over for the 45th time. Drawings are every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59.

Lower-tier prizes

Even if you don't win the big jackpot, you still could win some sizable lower-tier prizes. By matching all five balls, players win $1 million. Odds of winning this prize are 1 in 11.7 million. Players who match four balls plus the Powerball win $50,000. Odds of winning this are 1 in 913,129. Other prizes range from $4 to $100. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9.

On Monday's drawing, two tickets from Arizona and California won $1 million. Forty-three tickets won $50,000, and 14 tickets won $200,000.

Players are encouraged to check their tickets carefully to see if they've won lower-tier prizes.

What if you win?

If you're lucky enough to beat the odds and match all five numbers, the jackpot will be split among anyone else who did the same. The player can receive the jackpot in one lump sum at one time, or in an annuity payment over years.

If you win, stay calm and don't announce the win publicly. Depending on your state, you will have a limited time to claim the prize. This goes for lower-tier prizes, too.

Once the shock wears off, consult with a financial advisor.