A single Powerball jackpot worth $1.817 billion was won by an Arkansas ticket holder on Christmas Eve 2025. This historic Christmas morning news marks the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. The lucky winner matched all six numbers in one of the most anticipated drawings of the year.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The jackpot reached $1.817 billion after a 47-drawing run without a winner
- Winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 with Powerball 19 and 2x Power Play multiplier
- Arkansas retailer will receive a $75,000 bonus for selling the prize-winning ticket
- Cash payout option available at $834.9 million before taxes
The Winning Powerball Drawing on Christmas Eve 2025
Powerball winner scoops $1.817 billion on Christmas Eve, what happens next will change their life forever
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The December 24, 2025 evening drawing delivered an extraordinary Christmas gift to one fortunate player in Arkansas. The Powerball drawing took place as scheduled at 10:59 PM ET, and a single ticket matched all six winning numbers to capture the entire jackpot pool.
This was the 47th consecutive drawing without a grand prize winner, which caused the jackpot to grow to staggering proportions. The final ticket sales pushed the prize pool to exactly $1.817 billion, creating one of the most memorable Christmas Eve moments in American lottery history.
| Jackpot Details | Information |
| Annuitized Prize | $1.817 billion |
| Cash Option | $834.9 million |
| Drawing Date | December 24, 2025 |
| Winning Location | Arkansas |
| Historical Rank | 2nd Largest Ever |
How the Powerball Jackpot Grew to Historic Levels
Arkansas lottery wins $1.817 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve, here’s what happens to the money
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The $1.817 billion prize didn’t appear overnight. The jackpot grew through consecutive drawings without a grand prize winner. Each time a drawing passed without matching all six numbers, the prize pool rolled forward and increased automatically.
The 47-drawing streak created unprecedented interest across all 45 participating states and territories. Players purchased billions of dollars in tickets between the last winner and the Christmas Eve drawing. Media attention intensified as the jackpot climbed week after week throughout fall and into December.
“This was the shortest jackpot run since August 2023, showing how quickly the prize pool can develop under the right circumstances.”
— Powerball Officials, Multi-State Lottery Association
The Winning Numbers and Arkansas Ticket Details
The exact winning combination was 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 with the red Powerball number 19. The 2x Power Play multiplier was also called that evening, though Power Play doesn’t affect jackpot prizes, only lower-tier prizes.
The winning ticket was purchased at a retail location in Arkansas. The specific store where the ticket was sold will receive a $75,000 bonus from the Arkansas Lottery Commission. This bonus recognizes the retailer’s role in selling the life-changing ticket.
Arkansas Takes Second Place in Powerball History
With the $1.817 billion jackpot win, Arkansas now holds the second-largest Powerball prize ever awarded in United States history. Only one jackpot has surpassed this amount: the $2.04 billion prize won in California in November 2022 by winner Edwin Castro.
The third-largest Powerball jackpot was the $1.787 billion prize split between Missouri and Texas in September 2025. These record-breaking jackpots show how the Powerball game continues to grow and capture national attention during major holidays.
What’s Next for the Arkansas Powerball Jackpot Winner?
The winning Arkansas ticket holder has important decisions ahead. Under Arkansas lottery law, the winner must claim the prize within 180 days of the December 24, 2025 drawing date.
Players can choose between two payout options. The full annuitized amount of $1.817 billion would be paid out over 29 annual installments with annual increases. Alternatively, the winner can take the cash lump sum of $834.9 million immediately, both before federal and state taxes apply.
