Illinois Player Wins $1.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot

Wednesday's Powerball drawing delivered the winning numbers 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the red Powerball number 9. The Power Play multiplier for this drawing was 2. In a surprising twist, a single ticket sold in Illinois matched all the numbers, securing the incredible $1.04 billion jackpot. This marks the largest jackpot win of 2026 and the sixth one this year. Notably, it was the first time UK players could participate, following Powerball's launch in the UK on July 21, 2026. The lucky winner has two options: collect the full $1.04 billion through an annuity or take a one-time cash sum of about $450.5 million. Both amounts are pre-tax, but regardless of taxes, this win is truly life-changing. Achieved on the 44th draw, this $1.04 billion jackpot is the eighth largest in Powerball history.

Before the jackpot win on August 12, 2026, the Powerball jackpot was last hit on May 2, when two tickets in Florida and Texas each claimed the $20 million prize. Earlier, on April 29, the $143 million Powerball was split between winners in Indiana and Kansas who matched all the winning numbers. This year also saw Delaware celebrating a $230.8 million win on April 6, and before that, an Arkansas player snagged the top prize of $250.8 million on March 2. Kicking off 2026, a delightful $209.3 million jackpot was taken home in North Carolina on January 21. Stephen Durrell, Chair of the Powerball Product Group and Executive Director of the Kansas Lottery, expressed excitement about the recent jackpot win. Congratulations to our newest Powerball jackpot winner in Illinois, he announced. Durrell remarked, For over thirty years, Powerball has proven a winning ticket can emerge anywhere the game is played, with every $2 ticket offering the chance to change lives for generations. He also noted the game’s expansion into the UK, suggesting jackpots will grow larger and faster, promising unforgettable moments. Powerball urged all players with tickets for Wednesday's drawing to check them carefully, as more than 3 million tickets won various cash prizes.