Imagine hitting the jackpot – life-changing, right? But what if that jackpot was the SECOND-LARGEST in Powerball history, and NO ONE claimed it yet? That's the situation unfolding right now, and it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Powerball lottery.
Let's dive into the winning numbers for the Powerball drawing held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, because even if the big one's unclaimed, smaller prizes are still up for grabs! For that first Powerball drawing of 2026, held on that Saturday, the jackpot stood at a cool $64 million, translating to a $28.9 million cash value. A significant sum, no doubt, but it pales in comparison to the elephant in the room…
That monumental $1.817 billion Christmas Eve jackpot (check out the details here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/lottery/2025/12/26/powerball-jackpot-winner-arkansas-anonymous/87918239007/), the second-largest in Powerball's existence, remains unclaimed! The winning ticket was purchased in Cabot, Arkansas, a town conveniently located about 30 miles outside of Little Rock. According to the Arkansas Lottery (https://www.myarkansaslottery.com/games/powerball#:~:text=Q:%20What%20happens%20if%20the,$21), winners have a generous 180 days from the drawing date to step forward and claim their prize. In this particular case, the lucky, or perhaps unlucky, holder of the winning December 24th ticket has until June 22, 2026, to turn their fortune into reality. Talk about a deadline looming over your head! What would you do if you found out you had that ticket?
So, what were the numbers for the January 3rd drawing?
Here they are: 18-21-40-53-60, with the all-important Powerball number being 23.
Now, for those who are new to the world of Powerball, let's break down how to play. Don't worry, it's simpler than you think!
How to Play Powerball: A Beginner's Guide
Firstly, a Powerball ticket will set you back $2 per play (more info here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/lottery/2025/09/05/how-to-play-powerball-buy-ticket/85987674007/). These tickets are readily available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can grab them at your local convenience store, gas station, or even while doing your grocery shopping! And in an increasingly digital world, some states even allow you to purchase Powerball tickets online (https://jkpt.sng.link/A0spb/pj93/tehs), but this depends entirely on your local laws and regulations, so be sure to check.
Once you've got your ticket in hand, it's time to pick your numbers. You'll need to select six numbers in total. Five of these will be white balls, and they range from 1 to 69. The sixth number is the red Powerball, and it ranges from 1 to 26. Feeling lucky? You can also add a "Power Play" for an extra $1. This is where things get interesting because the "Power Play" significantly boosts the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. The Power Play multiplier can multiply your winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even a whopping 10X!
And this is the part most people miss: the Power Play only applies to non-jackpot prizes. So, while it won't make you a billionaire overnight, it can seriously sweeten the deal if you win a smaller prize.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities, don't worry! You can always opt for the "Quick Pick" option (more details here: https://www.powerball.com/faqs), where the computer randomly selects the numbers for you. It's all about leaving it to fate! To actually win the jackpot, you need to match all five white balls in any order, and you need to match the red Powerball. A challenging feat, but the potential reward is astronomical.
Powerball drawings take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. If no one manages to snag the jackpot, the cash prize simply keeps growing, rolling over to the next drawing. This is how we get those life-altering, record-breaking jackpots that capture the world's attention.
Speaking of records, let's take a look at the top 10 Powerball jackpots of all time. It's a list that's sure to inspire some serious lottery dreams:
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots:
- $2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022 in California
- $1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025 in Arkansas
- $1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025 in Missouri, Texas
- $1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023 in California
- $1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016 in California, Florida and Tennessee
- $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024 in Oregon
- $1.080 billion on July 19, 2023 in California
- $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024 in Michigan
- $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017 in Massachusetts
Can you buy Powerball tickets online?
Yes, you can! Through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network (https://jkpt.sng.link/A0spb/pj93/tehs), you can order tickets online in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings, all from the convenience of your phone or computer. It's lottery playing for the 21st century!
Important Note: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. You must be 18+, 21+ in AZ, and 19+ in NE to play. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
This article was brought to you by Fernando Cervantes Jr., a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @ferncerv.
Now, here's a thought to ponder: With the rise of online lottery services, do you think it makes winning more accessible or contributes to problem gambling? And what should happen to unclaimed jackpot money? Should it be re-entered into the lottery pool, or allocated to state-funded programs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
