Combined jackpot totals for North America’s two main multi-state lotteries have surpassed $1 billion, driven by rollover draws in both games. The Mega Millions jackpot stands at an estimated $403 million with a cash option of $162.1 million for Friday’s draw, while Saturday’s Powerball grand prize reached $600 million with a $246 million cash lump-sum value.
The current $600 million Powerball jackpot ranks as the 29th-largest U.S. lottery prize in history. The $403 million Mega Millions prize currently ranks as the 60th-largest. This dual accumulation marks the first time both lotteries have topped $403 million simultaneously since August 2026, when a single ticket sold in California matched all six Powerball numbers to win $1.08 billion.
Recent drawing results and prize distributions
Neither major game produced a jackpot winner in its most recent drawing. The Powerball drawing on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, yielded white ball numbers 3, 34, 37, 42, and 46, with Powerball number 20 and a Power Play multiplier of 3. While no ticket hit all six numbers, a player in Minnesota matched five white balls with the Power Play option to win $2 million. Players can view previous winning numbers and prize breakdowns through the Powerball results archive.
The Mega Millions draw on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, produced the winning sequence 11, 12, 15, 40, and 66, with Mega Ball 17. No ticket matched all six numbers, and no Match 5 second-tier winning tickets were recorded for that drawing. The rollover added an estimated $31 million to the annuity value for Friday’s drawing.
Comparison of Mega Millions and Powerball game mechanics
Although both games feature multi-hundred-million-dollar jackpots, their price structures, matrix odds, and drawing rules differ significantly. The table below outlines the core specifications for each game ahead of the upcoming drawings.
| Feature | Mega Millions | Powerball |
|---|---|---|
| Current Estimated Jackpot | $403 million | $600 million |
| Cash Option Value | $162.1 million | $246.0 million |
| Base Ticket Cost | $5.00 | $2.00 |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 290,000,000 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize | 1 in 24.0 | 1 in 24.87 |
| Draw Days & Times (ET) | Tue & Fri at 11:00 PM | Mon, Wed & Sat at 10:59 PM |
Payout options and withholding tax obligations
Winners of either jackpot can choose between an annuity payout structure or a single cash lump sum. The annuity option provides one immediate payment followed by 29 annual disbursements that increase by 5% each year. Review our guide to the Powerball annuity payment schedule to see how annual increases accumulate over three decades.
Federal regulations mandate an automatic 24% tax withholding on all lottery winnings exceeding $5,000. For top-tier jackpot winners, the total federal tax obligation usually reaches the maximum 37% rate, requiring additional tax payments when filing annual returns. State tax rates range from 0% in states such as Florida, Texas, and Washington to 10.9% in New York.
For Saturday’s $600 million Powerball jackpot, choosing the $246 million cash option triggers an immediate federal withholding of approximately $59.04 million, reducing the initial check to $186.96 million before state taxes or additional federal tax liability.
Rules for international players and online participation
Federal law does not require lottery participants to be U.S. citizens or residents to buy tickets or claim prizes. Any legal adult who purchases a valid ticket within a participating jurisdiction can collect winnings, provided the ticket was physically acquired within that border or processed by a licensed lottery courier service.
- Jurisdictions: Powerball operates in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions operates in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands (excluding Puerto Rico).
- Foreign taxation: Non-U.S. residents face a mandatory 30% flat federal withholding rate on prizes instead of the standard 24% rate applied to domestic players.
- Online options: Players residing outside active lottery states or in international locations can review non-resident tax and eligibility requirements or learn how to play international lotteries through regulated digital platforms.
Players residing in eligible locations can order official lottery tickets online via licensed courier providers who purchase physical tickets on behalf of the customer.
Consult the Powerball prize tiers and payouts table or our Mega Millions ticket guide for complete information on secondary prize tiers, cash options, and drawing schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the cut-off times to purchase tickets for these drawings?
Ticket sales close 1 to 2 hours before the official drawing time, depending on state lottery rules. Mega Millions closes sales between 9:45 PM and 10:45 PM Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays. Powerball cut-off times occur between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM Eastern Time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
What happens if multiple tickets match all six numbers?
When multiple tickets match all winning numbers, the advertised jackpot amount is divided equally among all top-tier winning entries. Each winner then individually selects either the cash option or the annuity payout for their equal share of the prize pool.
How long do winners have to claim their prizes?
Claim periods are determined by state lottery regulations and range from 90 days to one full year from the drawing date. In most participating states, players have 180 days to claim lower-tier prizes and jackpot amounts.
Play responsibly. Lottery draws are games of chance meant strictly for entertainment, not investment strategies.
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