Powerball Winning Numbers: $174M Jackpot for Oct. 1

Posted by The News Pulse October 03, 2025 Post a Comment

Is today your lucky day? The Powerball lottery is offering a massive jackpot that could change lives. For the drawing on Wednesday night, the estimated jackpot stood at $174 million, with a cash option of $80.7 million. This was the first time the jackpot had been this high since it was last won on September 6, when two players from Missouri and Texas claimed a staggering $1.787 billion — the second-largest jackpot in Powerball history.

Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot is currently at $520 million, with a cash option of $240.1 million, according to the official website.

What are the winning numbers?

For the Wednesday, October 1, 2025, drawing, the winning Powerball numbers were:

White balls: 8 - 17 - 22 - 28 - 55
Powerball: 14
Powerplay multiplier: 3x

If you have a ticket, make sure to check it against these numbers.

When is the next drawing?

Powerball drawings take place three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. The Monday drawings were added in 2021, giving players more chances to win.

How late can I buy tickets?

The deadline for purchasing Powerball tickets varies by state. In New Jersey, the deadline is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, while in New York, it's 10 p.m. It’s important to check your state’s specific deadline to avoid missing out.

Where can I play?

Powerball is available in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can purchase tickets in-person at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airports also sell lottery tickets.

For online purchases, you can use Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. This service is available in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

How do I play?

Each Powerball ticket costs $2. Players select five numbers from 1 to 69 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 26 (Powerball). You can also choose a "Quick Pick" for randomly generated numbers.

Adding the Power Play option for an extra $1 increases your potential prize up to five times (except for the jackpot and Match 5). If the jackpot is under $150 million, there's also a chance to get a 10x multiplier.

What are the prizes?

Prizes vary depending on how many numbers you match:

Matching just the Powerball: $4
Matching all five white balls: $1 million (except in California)
Matching all six numbers: The jackpot

You can find detailed information about prize payouts on the Powerball website.

Beware of scams

It's important to be cautious of scammers who may try to trick you into sending money or sharing personal information. Remember, no legitimate lottery will ask you to pay fees or provide sensitive data to claim a prize.

Can I stay anonymous?

In some states, like New Jersey, winners can remain anonymous. However, in other states, the winner’s name and hometown are public records. Check with your state lottery for details.

Top 10 largest Powerball jackpots

Here are the top 10 Powerball jackpots since the game began in 1992:

$2.04 billion – November 7, 2022 (California)
$1.787 billion – September 6, 2025 (Missouri and Texas)
$1.765 billion – October 11, 2023 (California)
$1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)
$1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 (Oregon)
$1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 (California)
$842.4 million – January 1, 2024 (Michigan)
$768.4 million – March 27, 2019 (Wisconsin)
$758.7 million – August 23, 2017 (Massachusetts)
$754.6 million – February 6, 2023 (Washington)

Largest U.S. lottery jackpots

Here are the largest jackpots ever won in the U.S. across both Powerball and Mega Millions:

$2.04 billion – Powerball, November 7, 2022 (California)
$1.787 billion – Powerball, September 6, 2025 (Missouri and Texas)
$1.765 billion – Powerball, October 11, 2023 (California)
$1.602 billion – Mega Millions, August 8, 2023 (Florida)
$1.586 billion – Powerball, January 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)
$1.537 billion – Mega Millions, October 23, 2018 (South Carolina)
$1.348 billion – Mega Millions, January 13, 2022 (Maine)
$1.337 billion – Mega Millions, July 29, 2022 (Illinois)
$1.326 billion – Powerball, April 6, 2024 (Oregon)
$1.269 billion – Mega Millions, December 27 (California)

Lump sum or annuity?

Most major lotteries offer two payout options: a lump sum or an annuity. The annuity option pays out over 30 years, with annual payments increasing by 5% each year. The lump sum option provides a smaller amount upfront but allows you to access all the money immediately.

Need help with gambling?

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.800gambler.org for support.