In time for the holidays, the Powerball lottery has soared to a new high, reaching the $1 billion mark for the second time this year.

After the Powerball jackpot remained unclaimed on Wednesday, Dec. 10, it has now climbed to an estimated $1 billion, according to Powerball’s website. If someone wins the top prize, they can choose to take home a one-time cash payment of $461.3 million.

2025 has been a lucrative year for the game after the jackpot reached $1.787 billion in September, becoming the second-highest jackpot in the game’s history.

Here is how you can play to get a chance to become a billionaire.

How to buy Powerball tickets

To play the Powerball lottery, you have to buy a ticket for $2. You can do this at a variety of locations, including your local convenience store, gas station, or even grocery store. In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online.

Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes.

The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.

If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. 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.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, just after 11 p.m. ET.

What are the top 10 Powerball jackpots?

  • $2.04 Billion- Won on Nov. 7, 2022, in California
  • $1.787 Billion - Won on Sept. 6, 2025, in Montana and Texas
  • $1.765 Billion - Won on Oct. 11, 2023, in California
  • $1.586 Billion - Won on Jan. 13, 2016, in California, Florida and Tennessee
  • $1.326 Billion - Won on April 6, 2024, in Oregon
  • $1.08 Billion - Won on July 19, 2023, in California
  • $1 Billion - No winner yet
  • $842.4 Million - Won on Jan. 1, 2024, in Michigan
  • $768.4 Million - Won on March 27, 2019, in Wisconsin
  • $758.7 Million - Won on Aug. 23, 2017, in Massachusetts

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app lets you pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings — all on your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball's jackpot is now $1 billion. Here’s how to buy a ticket.

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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