The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $786 million, with a cash value of $341.6 million, ahead of the Aug. 5 drawing. Wednesday's prize ranks as the ninth-largest jackpot in the game's history.
The jackpot has grown after remaining unclaimed for more than three months. The last time anyone won the Powerball jackpot was on May 2, when winning tickets in Texas and Florida split a $20 million jackpot, fueling a rollover streak that has turned a modest prize into one of the year's largest lottery payouts.
The jackpot also comes as Powerball undergoes its biggest expansion in years. For the first time, players in the United Kingdom can buy tickets and compete for the same top prize, potentially bringing millions of new players into the game.
Here is what you need to know about Wednesday night's Powerball drawing.
What are the winning numbers for the Aug. 5 Powerball?
USA TODAY will post the winning numbers after the lottery drawing at 11 p.m. ET.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing will take place on Aug. 8, at around 10:59 p.m. ET. The drawing can be watched live on Powerball's website, and players can rewatch clips on its YouTube channel.
Powerball drawings occur every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Largest Powerball jackpots ever won
- $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 and 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
- $786 million on Aug. 5, 2026 - winner TBD
- $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets are $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can do this at a variety of locations, including a local convenience store, gas station, or even a grocery store.
In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.
Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69. The red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26.
People can also add a "Power Play" for $1, which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. The "Power Play" multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you want the computer to select the numbers, the "Quick Pick" option is available, as well. 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 keep ticking up.
Do you have to be a US citizen or US resident to play Powerball?
The short answer is no.
When visiting one of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, anyone, regardless of nationality, can purchase lottery tickets from an authorized and licensed retailer if they meet the legal age requirement at the point of purchase - usually 18 years old.
Powerball's biggest expansion in years
British players are now competing for the same jackpot as U.S. participants, though there are several key differences in how tickets are sold and prizes are paid out.
Powerball tickets cost 4 British pounds in the United Kingdom, or about $5.32, compared with $2 in the United States. While U.K. ticket sales contribute to the shared jackpot, lower-tier prizes are awarded through a separate prize structure.
Jackpot payouts differ as well. U.S. winners can choose between a lump-sum cash option or annual payments over 30 years. U.K. winners will receive annual payments over 30 years through the U.K. National Lottery.
Contributing: Anthony Thompson, USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball jackpot drawing reaches $786 million: What to know
