The Powerball jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.7 billion after no winner matched all numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing, making it the third-largest prize in U.S. lottery history and sparking widespread anticipation for the next draw.
The winning numbers for the September 3 drawing were 3, 16, 29, 61, 69, and the red Powerball 22, with a Power Play multiplier of 2. While there was no grand prize winner, 11 tickets across nine states—California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—each won $1 million by matching all five white balls, as reported by Powerball officials.
This jackpot increase follows a record-tying streak of 41 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, confirmed by the Multi-State Lottery Association. The last time the Powerball jackpot was claimed was on May 31, 2025, in California, and the current run matches the previous record set in April 2024, emphasizing the rarity of such large wins.
The $1.7 billion figure represents the annuity option, which would be paid out over 30 years with annual increases of 5%. Winners can instead choose a lump-sum cash payment, currently estimated at $770.3 million, though both amounts are subject to federal and state taxes that could significantly reduce the final payout.
Powerball tickets are available for $2 each in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning the jackpot remain extremely low at 1 in 292.2 million, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9, yet the massive jackpot continues to drive high ticket sales nationwide.
The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, at 10:59 PM ET and will be broadcast live from Tallahassee, Florida, with streaming available on Powerball.com. If no winner emerges, the jackpot could grow even larger, potentially approaching or exceeding previous records.
Historically, the largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion won in California in November 2022, followed by $1.765 billion also in California in October 2023. The current $1.7 billion prize underscores a trend of increasingly gigantic lottery amounts due to extended periods without winners and heightened public participation.
As excitement builds, lottery retailers are experiencing surges in customers, and the event dominates media coverage. Financial advisors often caution players about the slim odds and recommend responsible gambling practices, but the dream of instant wealth continues to captivate millions ahead of Saturday’s drawing.