Illinois ticket claims $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot
A single ticket sold in western Illinois matched all six numbers and won the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot, ending a 44‑drawing streak without a top prize winner.
A single ticket sold in western Illinois matched all six Powerball numbers on August 12, 2026, winning a $1.04 billion jackpot and ending a 44‑drawing streak without a top prize winner. The prize can be taken as an annuity or a $450.5 million lump‑sum cash option.
A Powerball jackpot of $1.04 billion was claimed on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by a single ticket sold in Illinois. The prize had risen for 44 consecutive draws without a top‑prize winner, reaching an estimated $1 billion before the drawing. Powerball is a nationwide lottery operated by 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom, with draws held three times each week. The win matters because it is the largest Powerball prize awarded this calendar year and the eighth‑largest in the game’s history, ending a three‑month streak without a jackpot winner.
Jackpot reaches $1.04 billion after 44 draws
The prize climbed to $1.04 billion after 44 consecutive drawings without a winner, ranking as the eighth‑largest Powerball jackpot ever and the biggest awarded in 2026. The jackpot had been estimated at $1 billion and carried a cash option of $433.1 million, though some reports cited a lump‑sum figure of $450.5 million. Illinois was the sole state to sell the winning ticket, ending a three‑month streak of rollovers. The drawing took place on August 12, 2026, and was open to participants across 45 jurisdictions. The win ended the longest dry spell in Powerball history, a streak of 44 draws without a top‑prize winner. According to reports, the cash option for the jackpot was $450.5 million. The prize was claimed by a single ticket sold at a gas station in western Illinois.
The prize for the drawing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 was estimated at about one billion dollars.
The drawing took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Illinois ticket wins the prize
A single ticket bought at a gas station in western Illinois matched all six numbers on August 12, 2026, and claimed the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot. The winning ticket was the sole winner of the draw, the eighth‑largest prize in Powerball history and the largest awarded that calendar year. The jackpot had been estimated at $1 billion and was promoted with a cash option of $433.1 million. The prize was advertised as a lump‑sum of $450.5 million, according to reports. The draw followed a 44‑drawing streak without a top‑prize winner, marking the longest gap since May 2, 2026. The jackpot was the largest ever offered in the Powerball game, surpassing $1 billion after a series of rollovers.
Cash option and prize details
The jackpot was advertised with a cash option of $433.1 million, while the lump‑sum payment to the winner was reported as $450.5 million, figures that reflect the prize structure announced before the draw. The winning ticket was sold at a gas station in western Illinois and ended a 44‑drawing streak without a top‑prize winner. Powerball operates across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, with draws held three times each week. The prize was the eighth‑largest ever awarded in the game and came after a three‑month period without a winner. The lump‑sum amount was presented alongside the annuity option, which would spread the $1.04 billion prize over 30 years. According to reports, the winner may elect either payment form.
Powerball’s structure and reach
Powerball is played by 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. Draws occur three times each week. The game’s nationwide reach expands the pool of participants, driving jackpots higher and increasing the frequency of large prizes. Each ticket purchase contributes to a shared prize pool that rolls over when no top‑prize winner emerges. This structure allows jackpots to accumulate quickly, often reaching hundreds of millions or more. The widespread participation also means that the odds of winning remain low, but the prize amounts can grow substantially over successive rollovers.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot on August 12, 2026?
The winning ticket was sold in Illinois, ending a 44‑drawing streak without a top prize winner.
What was the cash option for the jackpot?
The cash option was announced as $433.1 million, with a lump‑sum payment of $450.5 million reported.
How many states participate in Powerball?
Powerball is operated by 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom.
What was the jackpot amount announced for the August 12 drawing?
The jackpot was announced as $1 billion, later detailed as $1.04 billion in reporting.
How many consecutive drawings went without a winner before this prize?
The streak reached 44 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner before the August 12 win.
