An Illinois ticket holder won an estimated $1 billion Powerball jackpot in the drawing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, matching all six numbers to end a multi-month rollover streak. According to the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), the winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, with the red Powerball 9.
| Draw Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Draw Date | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 |
| Winning Numbers | 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, Powerball: 9 |
| Estimated Jackpot | $1 Billion ($461.1 Million Cash Value) |
| Winning Ticket Location | Illinois, United States |
| Power Play Multiplier | X2 |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 292,201,338 |
What were the Powerball winning numbers for August 12, 2026?
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, with the red Powerball number 9. The Power Play multiplier for this drawing was X2.
Players who bought tickets for this drawing should use the official Powerball number checker to verify their results. Illinois lottery officials confirmed that a single ticket matched the entire combination, claiming the top prize. The winning ticket was sold at a licensed retailer within the state, though the exact store location and the winner’s identity have not yet been disclosed.
How much did the Illinois Powerball winner win?
The single ticket sold in Illinois won an estimated jackpot of $1 billion, which represents the eighth-largest prize in Powerball history. The ticket holder matched all six numbers to claim the top prize after the jackpot rolled over for more than three months.
Every Powerball jackpot winner faces a choice between two payout methods: a cash option or an annuity. The cash option for this $1 billion prize is an estimated single payment of $461.1 million before taxes. The annuity option distributes the full $1 billion over thirty graduated annual payments across twenty-nine years. Players seeking details on how these annual payouts increase can refer to the Powerball annuity payment schedule. Historically, the vast majority of jackpot winners choose the immediate lump-sum cash payment over the long-term annuity structure.
This drawing marked the first time in 2026 that the Powerball jackpot reached the ten-figure mark. The $1 billion jackpot sits behind several larger prizes in US lottery history, including the record-setting $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won by Edwin Castro in California in November 2022. The jackpot last hit on May 2, 2026, meaning the prize pool rolled over for 40 consecutive drawings before this win. Following this draw, the grand prize resets to its starting value of $20 million for the next drawing on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Who won the second-tier Powerball prizes?
In addition to the main jackpot winner, five players won prizes of $1 million or more by matching all five white numbers. One ticket holder won $2 million, while four other players secured $1 million each.
A ticket purchased in Massachusetts won $2 million because the player chose the optional $1 Power Play multiplier, which doubled the standard $1 million second-tier prize. Four other players won $1 million each with tickets sold in Arizona, California, Florida, and North Carolina. The table below outlines the distribution of major prizes from the August 12, 2026 drawing:
| Prize Level | Match Type | Winner Locations | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 White + Powerball | Illinois (1 winner) | $1 Billion |
| Match 5 + Power Play | 5 White (with Power Play) | Massachusetts (1 winner) | $2 Million |
| Match 5 | 5 White | Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina (4 winners) | $1 Million each |
According to Powerball officials, the drawing also produced approximately 3.3 million smaller winning tickets across the United States. These non-jackpot prizes range from $4 for matching just the red Powerball to $50,000 for matching four white balls and the red Powerball.
How to play Powerball online
Following the jackpot win, the game resets to its base jackpot of $20 million for the next drawing on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Players can purchase Powerball tickets at licensed physical retailers across 48 jurisdictions, including 45 US states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
In several states, lottery players can choose to make an online lottery ticket purchase through official state lottery websites or licensed third-party lottery courier services. To participate in upcoming draws, you can safely order official tickets online through licensed couriers like TheLotter.
To participate, players select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Players can select their own numbers or use a quick-pick number generator. For details on how matching structures work and prize rules, consult how to check if you won Powerball. Non-US residents are also eligible to participate under certain conditions; however, they must review the specific tax rules for international winners as tax withholding rates vary depending on country of residence and local treaties.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Illinois Powerball winner have to claim their prize?
In Illinois, lottery winners have up to one year from the drawing date to claim their prizes. However, if they wish to choose the cash lump sum option, they must make the selection within 60 days of the draw date.
Can the Illinois Powerball jackpot winner remain anonymous?
According to the Illinois Lottery, winners of prizes of $250,000 or more can request that their names and municipalities of residence be withheld from the public. This allows the winner of the August 12 draw to remain anonymous if they choose.
What happens if a Powerball ticket is lost?
Neither the Multi-State Lottery Association nor state lotteries are responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Players should sign the back of their tickets immediately upon purchase to prove ownership, as tickets are bearer instruments.
Responsible Gambling Notice: Lottery participation should be treated as entertainment, not a financial strategy. Play responsibly and within your means. If gambling causes distress, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (US) or GamCare: 0808 8020 133 (UK).
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