For the 41st consecutive time, the Powerball jackpot has eluded players nationwide, sending the prize pool for Saturday night’s drawing soaring to a jaw-dropping $1.7 billion. As reported by multiple outlets including UPI and FOX, Wednesday’s drawing on September 3, 2025, produced no grand prize winner, but it did spark a wave of excitement as millions of smaller prizes were claimed from coast to coast.
Wednesday’s winning numbers—3, 16, 29, 61, 69, with a red Powerball of 22 and a Power Play multiplier of 2x—left hopefuls across America clutching their tickets, some with dreams dashed, others with unexpected windfalls. According to Powerball officials, “Nationwide, eleven tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California (2), Colorado, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania.”
In Minnesota, one lucky player purchased their $1 million ticket at the Speedway store on Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights. That store, as reported by local Minnesota outlets, will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Another fortunate Minnesotan matched four numbers plus the Powerball, netting a $50,000 prize at a Kwik Trip in Rosemount. Winners of $50,000 or more must claim their prizes in person at the Minnesota Lottery headquarters in Roseville—a ritual that, for some, will be part of a life-changing day.
But Minnesota was far from alone in celebrating big winners. Pennsylvania also saw a $1 million ticket sold, and similar stories emerged in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, and not one but two each in California and Georgia. According to a Powerball news release cited by FOX and UPI, “Four tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million, by including the Power Play option for $1 more at purchase.” These $2 million tickets were sold in Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Wyoming—proof that sometimes that extra dollar really does make all the difference.
While the jackpot itself remains unclaimed, the scale of secondary prizes was staggering. Across the country, 117 tickets won $50,000 prizes, and 36 tickets were worth $100,000. As Powerball officials highlighted, “In total, more than 6.3 million tickets won cash prizes in last night’s Powerball drawing.” For many, that means a little extra spending money—or perhaps a new round of tickets for the next drawing.
So, what’s next? Saturday, September 6, 2025, marks the 42nd consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner, setting a new record for the most drawings in a row with no grand prize claimed. The jackpot now stands as the third-largest in U.S. lottery history, trailing only the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California on November 7, 2022, and the $1.765 billion prize, also claimed in California, on October 11, 2023. The current prize dwarfs the famous $1.58 billion jackpot from 2016, which once seemed untouchable.
For those dreaming of instant riches, the Powerball offers a choice: take the annuity option, which pays out the full $1.7 billion over 29 years in 30 graduated payments (each increasing by 5% annually), or opt for a lump sum estimated at $770.3 million before taxes. According to UPI, “The winner will receive the option of a lump sum payment estimated at $770.3 million or 29 payments that increase by 5% each year.” Historically, most winners go for the lump sum, despite the hefty tax bite.
But let’s not sugarcoat the odds. Powerball is, at its core, a game of chance with daunting probabilities. The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9, but the odds of hitting the jackpot? A mind-boggling 1 in 292.2 million. As USA TODAY and other outlets remind readers, those odds are about the same as flipping a coin and getting heads 28 times in a row. Still, the dream persists—because, as they say, someone has to win eventually.
Here’s a quick refresher on how the game works. Powerball tickets cost $2 each and can be purchased at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and, in some states, online through official lottery couriers. Players pick five white ball numbers (1-69) and one red Powerball (1-26). For an extra $1, the Power Play multiplier increases non-jackpot prizes by up to ten times, depending on the draw. Drawings are held live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery’s studio in Tallahassee, and are also streamed online for those who want to watch their fate unfold in real time.
The fevered anticipation around the Powerball isn’t just about the top prize. The lottery has become a cultural phenomenon, with office pools, family syndicates, and social media chatter fueling the excitement. As the jackpot climbs, so does ticket sales, which in turn pushes the prize even higher. According to FOX, “If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to tick up.” That cycle of hope, disappointment, and renewed optimism is part of what keeps millions coming back week after week.
For those curious about history, the ten largest Powerball jackpots all topped $754 million, with California, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Washington among the luckiest states. The most recent jackpot winners—before this record streak—were in California (May 31, 2025) and Oregon (April 6, 2024), underscoring just how rare it is to hit the big one.
And yet, as the next drawing approaches, the country’s collective imagination runs wild. What would you do with $1.7 billion? Pay off debts, travel the world, set up a charitable foundation, or simply enjoy the peace of mind that comes with financial security? For now, those dreams remain just that—dreams. But come Saturday night, someone, somewhere, could wake up to a new reality.
Until then, lottery officials urge everyone to check their tickets carefully. As Powerball’s statement put it, “Players are being reminded by Powerball officials to check their tickets carefully because prizes are awarded for matching the red Powerball or a portion of the winning numbers.” Even if you didn’t hit the jackpot, a smaller prize could still be waiting for you.
With the Powerball jackpot at historic heights and millions of Americans gripped by anticipation, all eyes will be on Saturday night’s drawing. Will the streak finally end, or will the prize pool continue its record climb? Either way, the thrill of possibility keeps hope alive for one more spin of the lottery wheel.
