Updated July 8, 2026, 11:21 p.m. ET
The Powerball jackpot rose to $434 million with a cash value of $194.7 million ahead of the July 8 drawing.
Since launching in 1992, Powerball jackpots have been hit more than 400 times. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the states with the most jackpot-winning tickets.
It has now been more than two months since someone took home the Powerball’s big prize. The last time that happened was on May 2; on that night, two players split a $20 million prize.
Here is what you need to know about Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing.
What are the winning numbers for the July 8 Powerball?
The winning numbers for the Powerball lottery drawing are 12, 29, 37, 43, 55, and the Powerball is 18. The “Power Play” multiplier is 4x.
Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?
The short answer is no.
When visiting one of the 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, anyone, regardless of nationality, can purchase lottery tickets from an authorized and licensed retailer if they meet the legal age requirement at the point of purchase – usually 18 years old.
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots
- $2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022. in California
- $1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025, in Arkansas
- $1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025, in Missouri and Texas
- $1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023, in California
- $1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016, in California, Florida, and Tennessee
- $1.326 billion on April 6, 2024, in Oregon
- $1.080 billion on July 19, 2023, in California
- $842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024, in Michigan
- $768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019, in Wisconsin
- $758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017, in Massachusetts
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets are $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can do this at a variety of locations, including a local convenience store, gas station, or even grocery store.
In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online, depending on local jurisdiction.
Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69.
The red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
If you want the computer to select the numbers, the “Quick Pick” option is available, as well. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will keep ticking up.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
