DES MOINES, Iowa: The Powerball jackpot has soared to a staggering US$1.7 billion after no one won the top prize in the September 3 drawing.
The winning numbers drawn that night were 3, 16, 29, 61, 69, and the Powerball number 22. But once again, no ticket matched them all. This marks the 41st consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner since May 31.
The next drawing will take place on the night of September 6, and the prize is now projected to be the third-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
Powerball is known for its incredibly tough odds — just 1 in 292.2 million for the jackpot. Those odds are intentional, designed to keep rolling the prize higher and higher until someone finally wins. While the top prize is difficult to hit, lottery officials point out that the chances are much better for the game’s smaller prizes, which are awarded regularly. Drawings are held three times a week.
For the draw on September 4, the jackpot was estimated at $1.4 billion for a winner who chose the annuity option, which pays out in 30 installments over 29 years. Most winners, however, pick the cash option, which would have been worth about $634.3 million.
Powerball tickets cost $2 each and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
No one won the Match 5 + Power Play $2 million prize or the Powerball jackpot Monday, Aug. 25, which rose to an estimated $815 million. But two people in Georgia and Texas won the Match 5 $1 million prize.
There have been four Powerball jackpot winners in 2025, most recently on May 31, when a person in California won the $204.5 million prize.
A lucky player in Oregon had the first jackpot-winning Powerball ticket of 2025, netting $328.5 million on Jan. 18. A second jackpot winner matched all six Powerball numbers on March 29, winning $527 million. A third jackpot winner from Kentucky won the $167.3 million prize on April 26.
The next drawing will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, just after 11 p.m. ET.
How to play the Powerball
To play the Powerball, you have to buy a ticket for $2. You can do this at a variety of locations, including your local convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online.
Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes.
The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to tick up.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
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(This story has been updated with new information.)
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.