The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $1.7 billion for Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing after 46 consecutive drawings without a winner. This marks the fourth-largest jackpot in Powerball history and the biggest holiday prize in decades. South Carolina residents join millions across 45 states in hoping to claim the ultimate life-changing prize this Christmas.
🔥 Quick Facts
- $1.7 billion jackpot estimated for December 24, 2025 drawing (fourth-largest in history)
- $781.3 million cash option available as lump sum payout (before taxes)
- 46 drawings without a jackpot winner since September 6, 2025
- Last Powerball jackpot won on September 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas who split $1.787 billion
Historic Christmas Eve Jackpot Creates Holiday Dreams Across America
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The $1.7 billion Powerball prize ranks fourth among all U.S. lottery jackpots, trailing only the $2.04 billion California jackpot from November 2022, the $1.787 billion split between Missouri and Texas in September 2025, and the $1.765 billion California prize from October 2023. Wednesday’s drawing will mark only the second time in history that Powerball delivered a jackpot winner on Christmas Eve. The first and only Christmas Eve Powerball winner occurred in 2011.
This exceptional prize comes at an ideal time for holiday dreamers. Powerball has historically awarded winners on Christmas Day four times (1996, 2002, 2010, and 2013), but a Christmas Eve winner would create unprecedented December lottery excitement. The escalating jackpot reflects consistent nationwide ticket sales and 46 consecutive drawings where no single ticket matched all six numbers.
How the 46-Drawing Winning Streak Reached Record Heights
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The current 46-drawing jackpot cycle represents a Powerball game record. The winning streak began on September 6, 2025, when two tickets split the previous $1.787 billion jackpot. Since that Monday evening drawing, every subsequent Powerball drawing has rolled the prize forward without a main jackpot winner. Monday night’s drawing contributed the final push, with no ticket matching white balls 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and red Powerball 7.
Although there was no jackpot winner, the Monday drawing still produced significant prizes. Nine tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million each across Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (2 tickets), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Additionally, 107 tickets won $50,000 prizes and 28 tickets won $100,000 prizes nationwide. In the secondary Double Play drawing, two tickets sold in Florida and Maryland won $500,000 each.
Understanding Your Prize Options and Drawing Details
| Prize Detail | Amount/Information |
| Estimated Jackpot | $1.7 billion (annuitized option) |
| Cash Option | $781.3 million (before taxes) |
| Drawing Date/Time | Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 10:59 p.m. ET |
| Ticket Cost | $2 per play (does not include Power Play) |
| Annuity Details | 1 immediate payment + 29 annual payments (increasing 5% each year) |
| Odds of Winning Jackpot | 1 in 292.2 million |
Why This Prize Stands Out in Lottery History
Wednesday’s $1.7 billion prize creates a rare moment in American gambling history. Only six U.S. lottery jackpots have exceeded $1.5 billion since the modern Powerball game began in 1992. The current fourth-place ranking means this Wednesday’s drawing stakes are among the most compelling in recent memory. South Carolina holds special significance in lottery history, having produced the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever: $1.537 billion won in October 2018 by an anonymous South Carolina resident.
The Powerball game has generated more than $37 billion for good causes since 1992 through state lottery programs. More than half of all ticket sales remain in the jurisdiction where tickets are purchased, supporting education, infrastructure, and community programs across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Will You Be Watching Wednesday Night’s Christmas Eve Drawing?
Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing will be live streamed on Powerball.com for viewers across the nation. The overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9, making this the most statistically likely time many ticket holders will win secondary prizes.
As lottery officials noted through Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn, “Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future. We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all.” With the drawing happening on Christmas Eve, millions of Americans are preparing tickets in hopes of becoming one of only seven billionaire winners in Powerball history.
Sources
- Powerball Official – $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot announcement for December 24, 2025 drawing
- Fox Business – Powerball jackpot ranks fourth-largest in U.S. lottery history
- NBC News – No jackpot winner declared in Monday’s Powerball drawing details
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.