After Wednesday night’s drawing, the Powerball jackpot has climbed by another $300 million to a jaw-dropping $1.7 billion.
This makes it the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history, following the $2.04 billion win in November 2022 and the $1.745 billion win in October 2023.
This Saturday will mark the 42nd consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner, breaking the previous record of 41. It’s almost mind-boggling to think how long it’s been.
Since its inception in 1992, the Powerball game has seen incredible winners, but the largest jackpots have all been in recent years. Interestingly, four out of the five biggest winning tickets were sold in California.
Let’s take a look at the Powerball jackpots so far, along with some of their winners.
1. $2.04 billion: California, 2022
Edwin Castro was the sole winner of the record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022. He purchased his ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena.
2. $1.765 billion: California, 2023
This second-largest jackpot was won in October 2023, with a single ticket sold in a small Kern County town. Theodorus Struyck emerged as a representative of a group that bought tickets at Midway Market in Frazier Park. Interestingly, this family-run market even earned a $1 million bonus for selling the winning ticket.
3. $1.7 billion (estimated): TBD
The current $1.7 billion jackpot is now the third-largest ever. We might find out who the winner is this Saturday.
4. $1.586 billion: California, Florida, Tennessee, 2016
This record jackpot was split among three winners, each taking home $528.8 million. Marvin and May Acosta bought their ticket in Chino Hills, while other winners were in Florida and Tennessee.
5. $1.326 billion: Oregon, 2024
Chen “Charlie” Sehwan was revealed as the winner of this jackpot on April 6, 2024. This win was a significant highlight for Oregon, making considerable news.
6. $1.08 billion: California, 2023
The $1.08 billion jackpot, which was the fifth largest, drew attention in July 2023. Janila Alvarez bought her winning ticket at a mini-market in downtown Los Angeles, although it took over five months for the lottery to officially recognize her win.
7. $842.4 million: Michigan, 2024
A group known as “The Breakfast Club” claimed this $842.4 million jackpot in January 2024. Their winning tickets were purchased in Grand Blanc.
8. $768.4 million: Wisconsin, 2019
The largest jackpot in Wisconsin history was claimed by Manuel Franco on March 27, 2019, who bought his winning ticket in New Berlin.
9. $758.7 million: Massachusetts, 2017
Mavis Wanczyk won this life-changing $758.7 million jackpot, the largest at the time, back in August 2017. She purchased five tickets at a local store and immediately decided to leave her job.
10. $754.6 million: Washington, 2023
Becky Bell made headlines when she won $754.6 million in February 2023 while out grocery shopping. A long-time employee at Boeing, she felt compelled to buy a ticket, seeing the jackpot as a lucky sign.
