What is the highest Powerball has ever been?
Powerball is one of the biggest lottery games in the United States with prizes to match.
With Powerball soaring, you might be wondering how the current prize compares to others in the history of the game. The most recent $213.8 Million Powerball, won on August 12, 2024 in Pennsylvania, was a big win—but nowhere near the largest jackpot ever in the United States.
What could top that? And what is the biggest Powerball jackpot anyway?
What is The Biggest Powerball Jackpot?
On November 7, 2022, the highest Powerball jackpot was won at $2.04 billion, marking this victory as the biggest Powerball jackpot in history!
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots
Let’s see how the $2.04 billion jackpot stacks up against other life-changing wins. Keep scrolling to learn about each Powerball winner!
- $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022
- $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023
- $1.586.4 billion – Jan. 13, 2016
- $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024
- $1.08 billion – Jul. 19, 2023
- $842.4 million – Jan. 1, 2024
- $768.4 million – Mar. 27, 2019
- $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017
- $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023
- $731.1 million – Jan. 20, 2021
⚡️ Feeling inspired? Get in the game on the Jackpocket lottery app for mobile or desktop.
Top 10 U.S. Jackpots
Now let’s rank the $842.2 million Powerball among the top Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots in U.S. history.
- $2.04 billion Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022
- $1.765 billion Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023
- $1.602 billion Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023
- $1.586.4 billion Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016
- $1.537 billion Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018
- $1.350 billion Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023
- $1.337 billion Mega Millions – July 29, 2023
- $1.326 billion Powerball – April 6, 2024
- $1.28 billion Mega Millions – March 26, 2024
- $1.08 billion Powerball – July 19, 2023
- $1.05 billion Mega Millions – Jan. 22, 2021
- $842.4 million Powerball – Jan. 1, 2024
Biggest Powerball Winners
Meet some of the lucky people who won big on a record Powerball.
1. $2.04 Billion (California) in 2022
Edwin Castro won the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot on November 7, 2022 (Billion!). A 31-year-old Altadena, CA resident, Castro chose the lump sum of $997.6 million for his payout and commented that California Public Schools, a beneficiary of the California state lottery, would be “the real winner.”
2. $1.765 Billion (California) in 2023
After 35 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner, a single ticket sold in Fraizer Park, California matched all six numbers for the October 11th drawing. The winning ticket was purchased together by a group represented by Theodorus Struyck. The Powerball jackpot was worth $1.765 billion, with a cash value of $774.1 million.
3. $1.586 Billion (Tennessee, Florida, California) in 2016
On January 13, 2016, the owners of three winning tickets in Tennessee, California, and Florida shared the $1.58 billion Powerball jackpot. Each winner received over $520 million, and each had their own remarkable story. The winner from Mumford, Tennessee, had no plans to move, while the California couple claimed their ticket 6 months after the drawing, fueling conspiracy theories. The Florida couple shared their excitement on national television.
We just wanted a little big piece of the pie.
4. $1.326 Billion (Oregon) in 2024
A single winning ticket was sold in Portland, Oregon for the April 6, 2024 Powerball drawing worth $1.326 billion. The ticket was claimed by Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and their friend Laiza Chao, who bought 20 tickets together. Chen, who has battled cancer for 8 years, said, “I’m happy for my family, they will have a good life.”
5. $1.08 Billion (California) in 2023
Yanira Alvarez won the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot on July 19, 2023, purchasing her ticket at Las Palmitas Mini Market in Downtown LA. She chose a lump sum payout worth $558.1 million.
6. $842.2 Million (Michigan) in 2024
The January 1, 2024 win marked the first time ever that a Powerball jackpot has been won on New Year’s Day. The lucky ticket was bought at Food Castle in Grand Blanc, MI by a group who call themselves “The Breakfast Club”.
7. $768.4 Million (Wisconsin) in 2019
A lucky Quick Pick winner in Wisconsin said he’d probably not play again after hitting the jackpot, calling the win life-changing. He opted for a lump sum of $477 million, which became $326 million after taxes.
8. $758.7 Million (Massachusetts) in 2017
On August 23, 2017, a woman from Chicopee, MA won what was then the largest lottery jackpot in US history. She quit her job right after learning she had won. When asked how she’d celebrate: “I’m going to just hide in my bed.”
I’m going to just hide in my bed.
9. $754.6 Million (Washington) in 2023
Becky Bell of Auburn, Washington bought her ticket at her local grocery store and was inspired by Boeing’s delivery of its final 747 jumbo jet. She became the sole winner.
Hot & cold numbers: View the most common Powerball numbers in 2024.
10. $731.1 Million (Maryland) in 2021
A group of anonymous winners called “The Power Pack” won the largest prize in Maryland Lottery history on January 20, 2021. The group chose the $546.8 million lump sum option and plan to invest in their families and communities.
Honorable Powerball Mentions:
$699.9 Million (California) in 2021
Scott Godfrey of Morro Bay, California realized he had won $699 million after seeing a news story. He chose the lump sum cash option to support charitable causes.
$687.6 Million (New York and Iowa) in 2018
Two players in New York and Iowa split the jackpot on October 27, 2018. The Iowa winner planned travel and to establish a foundation, while the New York winner said a rainy day changed his routine—and his ticket paid off after playing family numbers for over twenty-five years.
$632.6 Million (California and Wisconsin) in 2022
Tammy and Cliff Webster, a Wisconsin couple, split the jackpot with a California winner. They learned of their good fortune while watching the morning news and called the experience a dream come true.
$590.5 Million (Florida) in 2013
On May 18, 2013, an 84-year-old woman won after buying the winning ticket at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, FL. She was allowed to go ahead in line by another customer. Good deeds do pay off!
$587.5 Million (Arizona and Missouri) in 2012
Two tickets split this jackpot on November 28, 2012. The first went to a Missouri mother of four who planned to help her family pay for college. The Arizona winner intended to support charities with his share.
Where Can You Order Powerball Lottery Tickets?
Lottery tickets are available at gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores. Some airports and drug stores also have ticket machines. Many states now allow online lottery ticket orders via mobile or computer.
Jackpocket offers online ticket orders in the following states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Puerto Rico
- Texas
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Reminder: The odds of winning the grand prize remain the same for everyone. Try your luck, have fun and play responsibly!
The Lottery and Taxes: What to Expect if You Win
Winning a prize like the biggest Powerball jackpot is exciting, but the IRS considers any lottery prize over $599.99 as income. Prizes over $5,000 are taxed at 24% upon receipt. If you take the lump sum payout, you may owe more at tax time, as your prize could push you into the top 37% tax bracket. After the initial 24% withholding, you’ll owe the remainder due for your tax rate.
State taxes may also apply depending on where you bought your ticket. Learn how state lottery taxes work where you live.
If you win, consult with a certified financial planner, tax attorney, or CPA to determine whether taking the lump sum or annuity is best for your circumstances. Sometimes, an annuity can help you keep more of your winnings in the long run.
Make your state a winner!
Get inspired by checking out all the states that have won Powerball jackpots in the history of the game. Your home state could be next!
