The jackpot for the Powerball lottery game is displayed outside Ted’s State Line Mobil station, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Methuen, Mass.
Charles Krupa/AP
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Charles Krupa/AP
A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas has shattered lottery dreams-in the best way possible-claiming a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing. The win ends a nearly three-month drought for the top Powerball prize.
jackpot Reaches Historic Heights
the winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. Final ticket sales propelled the jackpot to the second-largest in U.S. history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to www.powerball.com. Players who opted for the cash payout will receive $834.9 million.
“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, in a statement released by the website. “we also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot? The odds are approximately 1 in 292.2 million, designed to create massive payouts as the prize rolls over.
The winning ticket emerged after 46 consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner.The last jackpot was split between players in Missouri and Texas on Sept. 6, with a prize of $1.787 billion.
Arkansas Claims Second Powerball Jackpot
This marks the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won by a ticket purchased in Arkansas. The first instance occurred in 2010. Lottery officials also noted that Christmas Eve has seen a Powerball winner before, in 2011, and the game has been won on Christmas Day four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball’s long odds-1 in 292.2 million-are intentionally set to generate these enormous jackpots, with the prize pool growing with each unsuccessful drawing.However,lottery officials emphasize that the odds of winning smaller prizes are significantly more favorable.
“With the prize so high,I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?” Indianapolis glass artist Chris Winters said Wednesday.
powerball tickets cost $2 each and are available in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
