Summary
- Two lucky lottery winners captured the massive $1.79 billion Powerball jackpot on Saturday.
- The lucky winners from Missouri and Texas are eagerly anticipating life-changing rewards: they can choose between annuity payments totaling $893.5 million or a one-time cash payout of $410.3 million.
- In a recent lottery drawing, nearly 10 million players walked away with prizes of all sizes.
Two extraordinarily fortunate individuals have struck it rich, sharing an astonishing $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot. Their incredible luck marks the fall of the second-largest prize in Powerball history, as they successfully matched all six winning numbers.
The top prize will be split among two players
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, anticipation filled the air as the Powerball numbers were drawn. The white balls rolled out: 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62. The red Powerball? A striking 17. This draw broke a thrilling silence since May 31, 2025, marking the first jackpot win in months. The prize, a staggering $1.79 billion, wasn't just the second-largest jackpot ever, but it also set a remarkable record for lasting an incredible 42 draws before finally being claimed. The lucky winners from Missouri and Texas haven't shared much about themselves, but their fortunes are crystal clear: they matched every number to hit the jackpot. With this enormous sum, each winner now faces a thrilling decision. They can either take a cool $410.3 million in a one-time cash payout or opt for the annuity, receiving $893.5 million spread over an initial payment and 29 annual installments that include a 5% annual increase. Of course, before basking in their newfound wealth, the winners must remember that taxes will take their share. Historically, the allure of a lump sum has often won over many jackpot winners, despite the seemingly larger annuity prize.
Close to two dozen players missed the jackpot but won million-dollar prizes
It's no wonder the astonishing Powerball jackpot drew in a throng of eager players. Stretching across the nation, over 9.9 million tickets turned into winning moments, each one claiming a piece of the cash prize pool from the latest draw. While the jackpot remained elusive for some, nearly twenty players came excruciatingly close, falling short by just one number but still claiming a win. A remarkable 18 folks turned their fortunes around by matching all five white balls, each pocketing a cool million dollars. In a fortunate twist, two extremely lucky holders, one from Kansas and another from Texas, didn't just match the numbers—they maximized their winnings to $2 million each by opting in for the Power Play, all for just an additional dollar. Matt Strawn, who leads the Powerball Product Group and serves as Iowa Lottery's CEO, extended heartfelt congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winners and acknowledged the Missouri and Texas Lotteries for distributing those life-changing tickets. He further emphasized the impact of this lottery excitement: each $2 ticket not only granted players a shot at colossal prizes, but also fueled vital public programs and services that strengthen communities—a true reason for celebration. Reflecting on history, the largest Powerball prize ever was claimed on November 7, 2022, in California, where a singular ticket scooped up the mind-blowing sum of $2.04 billion.
