X’s and O’s Lottery - Upcoming game info & how to play

Powerball X's and O's is the tentative name of a multi-state lottery game currently in development by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) in partnership with the National Football League (NFL). While the game hasn't been officially announced, information about the project has emerged from lottery industry conferences and lottery commission meetings.

The game is provisionally scheduled to launch on September 8, 2026, with the first draw taking place on September 13, 2026.

According to lottery executives, the game is expected to be available in at least 31 states, potentially reaching 150 million people across MUSL's member lotteries.

Note: All details related to Powerball X's and O's (including the game name, mechanics, pricing, prize structure, launch date, and participating jurisdictions) are subject to change as the game hasn't been officially announced.

Game structure

According to reports, the current game concept would involve players picking 8 logos from all 32 NFL teams. Every Sunday evening, 8 NFL team logos would be drawn, and players would win cash prizes based on how many they matched.

Prizes and odds

The game hasn't been officially announced yet, so the final prizes and odds haven't been confirmed. These are the prizes and odds currently being considered for the game:

Match	Prize	Odds
8	Jackpot	1 in 10,518,300
7	$20,000	1 in 54,782.8125
6	$500	1 in 1,361.063665
5	$40	1 in 92.799795
4	$7	1 in 14.140921
Overall odds of winning a prize in Powerball X's and O's are 1 in 12.15869.

In addition to a modest rolling jackpot starting at an estimated $500,000, the game is expected to have an emphasis on experiential NFL rewards as additional prizes available through 2nd chance programs and other promotions. Lottery executives have stated these would be exclusive experiences "you can't buy" on the open market, not just standard VIP packages.

Potential non-cash prizes could include:

Second-chance drawings through a new mobile app that is currently in development.
"Fan Cash" credits or gift cards (reports suggest amounts starting around $50).
Super Bowl suite tickets.
NFL Draft on-stage experiences (potentially making a pick for your favorite team).
VIP game tickets with premium seating.
NFL merchandise.

The expected overall payout is around 55% of sales.

Schedule

According to current plans, the first draw is scheduled for September 13, 2026, and the weekly draws would take place every Sunday evening thereafter, in alignment with the NFL season. Specific draw times haven't been announced, but draws are expected to be held no earlier than 9:00 p.m. CT.

Things to know

Powerball X's and O's is in development and hasn't been officially announced by the MUSL or the NFL. All information comes from lottery industry conferences and lottery commission meetings.
The planned starting jackpot is estimated at $500,000, but it will depend on ticket sales.
The launch is tentatively scheduled for September 8, 2026, and the first draw for September 13.
A new official mobile app for ticket scanning, points accumulation, second-chance draws, and cross-state play functionality is said to be in development to accompany the debut of this game.
Draws would be held every Sunday evening to align with NFL game days and capture football excitement.
The game emphasizes unique NFL experiences over large cash jackpots.
All details, including the game name, mechanics, pricing, and launch date, may change before it's officially announced.

History

Powerball X's and O's has reportedly been developed by the MUSL in partnership with the NFL and participating state lotteries since at least 2023, spearheaded by Oklahoma Lottery Executive Director Jay Finks.

Originally targeted for September 2025, the game was delayed, allegedly due to rulemaking, testing, and coordination requirements.

The current launch objective is September 8, 2026, with the first draw scheduled for September 13 of the same year.

FAQs

X’s and O’s is scheduled for a September 8, 2026, launch. The first draw is scheduled for September 13.

Every Sunday evening, no later than 9:00 p.m. CT, to align with the NFL season games. Specific times haven't been announced, and it's unclear if draws would continue year-round or only during the NFL season.

Expected in at least 31 states, potentially reaching 150 million people across MUSL's member states. The full list would be announced before launch.

Players would pick 8 NFL team logos from 32 franchises, or use Quick Pick to play with randomly selected logos. Prizes would then be awarded based on how many of the drawn logos the player matched.

While the game emphasizes unique NFL-related experiences over massive jackpots, the current model would also offer a modest rolling jackpot. The estimated starting jackpot currently being discussed is $500,000.

Potential prizes beyond the monetary ones could include: Super Bowl suite tickets, NFL Draft on-stage experiences, VIP game tickets, signed NFL merchandise, "Fan Cash" credits, and more. Most of the non-cash prizes will be awarded through promotions available on an accompanying app or participating state lotteries' 2nd chance programs.

The odds of winning the jackpot currently in consideration are 1 in 10,518,300.

No, Powerball X's and O's would be a lottery draw game, not sports betting. However, it's designed to appeal to similar demographics and create excitement around NFL fandom.

More information is likely to come out in the months ahead of the tentative September 8, 2026, launch. This page will be continuously updated with the latest details, so keep checking for the latest news.

Do you have questions about X's and O's? Send us a message, and we’ll get you an answer.