The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $271 million, with a cash option of $115.1 million, for Wednesday, Sept. 16 after no ticket matched all six numbers Monday.
Illinois Lottery officials announced Sept. 15 that the winner of the $1.040 billion Aug. 12 jackpot had finally claimed the prize. The ticket holder, who chose to remain anonymous as allowed by state law, claimed one of the game’s largest jackpots after weeks of speculation about the winning ticket.
“Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation,” the winner said in a statement released by Powerball.
The winner purchased a $2 Quick Pick ticket at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in Quincy, Illinois, and elected to receive the prize as a lump sum payment of $450.5 million before taxes.
Here’s what you need to know about Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
More: Which Powerball numbers should you pick?
What are the winning numbers for the September 16 Powerball?
USA TODAY will update this story with the winning numbers shortly after the drawing takes place at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing will take place on Saturday, September 19, at around 10:59 p.m. ET. The drawing can be watched live on Powerball’s website, and players can rewatch clips on its YouTube channel.
Powerball drawings occur every week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
In this photo illustration, Powerball lottery tickets are displayed on a countertop at an Exxon Mobil gas station on December 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
More: If you win Powerball, this is how much you’ll have to pay in taxes
Largest Powerball jackpots ever won
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$2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022 in California
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$1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025 in Missouri and Texas
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$1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023 in California
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$1.326 billion on April 6, 2024 in Oregon
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$1.080 billion on July 19, 2023 in California
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$842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024 in Michigan
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$768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores and other authorized retailers. Some jurisdictions also allow online ticket purchases.
To play, select five white-ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Players can choose their own numbers or use the Quick Pick option to have them randomly generated.
For an additional $1, players can add Power Play, which multiplies non-jackpot winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X, depending on the multiplier drawn.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
If no one wins the jackpot, the prize rolls over and continues growing for the next drawing.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball?
No. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or resident to play Powerball.
Anyone who is physically present in one of the participating jurisdictions can purchase a ticket from an authorized retailer, provided they meet the legal age requirement at the point of sale, which is typically 18 years old.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball jackpot grows to $271M for Wednesday
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