Arkansas Ticket Wins Historic $1.8 Billion Powerball Jackpot on Christmas Eve

A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas claimed an estimated $1.817 billion jackpot on Christmas Eve, marking one of the largest lottery wins in U.S. history.

The winning ticket matched all six numbers — 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59 — along with the red Powerball number 19. The ticket also included the 2x Power Play multiplier. According to Powerball officials, the jackpot reached its final amount after strong ticket sales ahead of the holiday drawing.

This win ranks as the second-largest lottery jackpot ever claimed in the United States and the largest Powerball prize awarded this year. It is also only the second time a Powerball jackpot has been won with a ticket sold in Arkansas, the first occurring in 2010.

“This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Chair of the Powerball Product Group and CEO of the Iowa Lottery. He noted that ticket sales during the extended jackpot run help fund public programs and services nationwide.

The winner can choose between two payout options: a lump sum of $834.9 million or an annuity totaling $1.817 billion, both before taxes. The annuity option includes an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

Tuesday night’s drawing was the 47th drawing of this jackpot run, setting a new Powerball record for the longest single jackpot cycle. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot remain steep at 1 in 292.2 million.

Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.