NC lottery Powerball soars to $820 million jackpot after Wednesday’s drawing came up empty. This represents the 8th-largest prize in Powerball history. Players now chase a life-changing opportunity with the next draw happening Saturday night.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jackpot Amount: $820 million annuity or $383.5 million cash option
- Drawing Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM ET
- Historical Rank: 8th largest Powerball prize ever offered
- Odds to Win: 1 in 292 million for the jackpot
How NC Lottery Built This Historic Jackpot
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No one matched all 6 numbers in Wednesday’s drawing, so the jackpot rolled to Saturday’s even bigger prize. The December 3 drawing selected 1, 14, 20, 46, 51 with Powerball 26. This empty drawing means the $778.8 million prize from Wednesday keeps growing.
North Carolina players won some consolation prizes last time around. A J&J Food Mart customer on South Broad Street in Winston-Salem matched four white balls plus the Powerball to take home $50,000. The state saw 22,779 winning tickets overall in Monday’s drawing.
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The $820 million jackpot ranks as the second-largest Powerball prize offered in 2025 so far. Only September’s historic $1.787 billion jackpot—won by tickets in Missouri and Texas—exceeds this week’s prize. The all-time record sits at $2.04 billion, won in California on November 7, 2022.
This 8th-largest milestone demonstrates Powerball’s massive drawing power. Saturday’s prize jumps into rare air occupied by just seven other jackpots in the game’s entire history. Players nationwide recognize the 1 in 292 million odds, yet millions still chase dreams worth $383.5 million in immediate cash.
Where to Buy Powerball Tickets Before Saturday’s Drawing
| Purchase Method | Details |
| Retail Locations | Any NC Education Lottery retail location statewide |
| Online Play | NC Lottery website or Official Mobile App |
| Drawing Time | Saturday, December 6 at 10:59 PM ET |
| Ticket Price | $2 per play; Power Play multiplier available |
NC Lottery Supports Education Across the State
Powerball revenue directly funds North Carolina’s education system across all 100 counties. Current Powerball ticket sales have generated an estimated $14.7 million for education on this current jackpot run. Every ticket purchased contributes to public schools, teacher salaries, and educational programs.
Players winning $820 million join an exclusive club of life-changing winners. Responsible play remains essential—the odds prove challenging, so players should only spend what they can afford to lose. North Carolina Education Lottery resources encourage smart gaming habits.
Will Saturday’s Drawing Crown the Next Major Powerball Winner?
The million-dollar question remains: who claims this historic 8th-largest Powerball prize Saturday night? With $820 million on the line, players nationwide prepare their tickets and numbers. The next drawing happens in just 2 days, so dreamers should buy tickets at retail locations or through the NC Lottery app before Saturday’s 10:59 PM ET cutoff.
“A winner could claim the jackpot as a $775 million annuity or $362.5 million in cash.”
— NC Education Lottery, Official Announcement
Sources
- NC Education Lottery – Official Powerball jackpot announcement and game details
- USA Today – Largest Powerball prizes in U.S. history rankings
- ABC News – December 2025 Powerball jackpot growth reporting
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.