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Powerball winning numbers for Dec. 20 drawing; $1.5 billion jackpot And winners score big through the years

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Just in time for the holidays, the Powerball jackpot is now at a staggering $1.5 billion, the 5th largest in the lottery’s history.

If a ticket matches all five numbers plus the Powerball on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 p.m. ET drawing, the winner can choose a one-time cash payment of $686.5 million before taxes.

The Powerball jackpot has rolled over 45 consecutive times since Sept. 6 when two tickets in Missouri and Texas won the second-largest jackpot in the game’s history: $1.787 billion.

Top 10 largest Powerball jackpot winners

  • $2.04 billion: Nov. 7, 2022 – California
  • $1.787 billion: Sept. 6, 2025 – Texas and Missouri
  • $1.765 billion: Oct. 11, 2023 – California
  • $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee
  • $1.5 billion: Current jackpot
  • $1.326 billion: April 6, 2024 – Oregon
  • $1.08 billion: July 19, 2023 – California
  • $842.4 million: Jan. 1, 2024 – Michigan
  • $768.4 million: March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin
  • $758.7 million: Aug. 23, 2017 – Massachusetts

Powerball winning numbers for Dec. 20, 2025

The winning numbers for Saturday’s drawing: 4-5-28-52-69 and the Powerball is 20.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored byJackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball, 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 continue to tick up.

Powerball jackpot winners score big through the years

Powerball winner Melvin Rhodes, left, with his grandson, Mike, jokes with cashier Mollie Cox while buying lottery tickets on April 21, 2000, at Ray's Superior Food Market in Whitley County, Ky. Every Friday for 12 years Rhodes has made the 48-mile drive from his home in Clinton to purchase $35 worth of tickets. His diligence paid off when he won the $79.7 million jackpot. Rhodes died in September 2004 at age 78.

Powerball winner Melvin Rhodes, left, with his grandson, Mike, jokes with cashier Mollie Cox while buying lottery tickets on April 21, 2000, at Ray’s Superior Food Market in Whitley County, Ky. Every Friday for 12 years Rhodes has made the 48-mile drive from his home in Clinton to purchase $35 worth of tickets. His diligence paid off when he won the $79.7 million jackpot. Rhodes died in September 2004 at age 78.

Juan Mendez-Galarza of Paterson, N.J. bought a $1 million winning Powerball ticket at W & R Mini Market & Deli in August of 2017. When scanning one of the three tickets he purchased, he placed his hand on his forehead, realizing he was $1 million richer. "I was always thinking if I get the ticket lottery, I want to keep working," Mendez-Galarza said. "I just want to have a better life, but still live my life normally."

Juan Mendez-Galarza of Paterson, N.J. bought a $1 million winning Powerball ticket at W & R Mini Market & Deli in August of 2017. When scanning one of the three tickets he purchased, he placed his hand on his forehead, realizing he was $1 million richer. “I was always thinking if I get the ticket lottery, I want to keep working,” Mendez-Galarza said. “I just want to have a better life, but still live my life normally.”

Amy Newman/NorthJersey.com

Fort Dodge's Timothy Guderian won a Powerball jackpot prize worth $200.8 million in October 2006. "We played the lottery about twice a month, but never expected to win," Tim said, shown here during press conference Wed Oct. 4, 2006, at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

Fort Dodge’s Timothy Guderian won a Powerball jackpot prize worth $200.8 million in October 2006. “We played the lottery about twice a month, but never expected to win,” Tim said, shown here during press conference Wed Oct. 4, 2006, at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

Rodney White/The Register

Mary and Brian Lohse won a Powerball jackpot prize worth $202.1 million in Bondurant, Iowa, in October 2012. Lottery CEO Terry Rich congratulated the winners at a news conference after the couple claimed the prize.

Mary and Brian Lohse won a Powerball jackpot prize worth $202.1 million in Bondurant, Iowa, in October 2012. Lottery CEO Terry Rich congratulated the winners at a news conference after the couple claimed the prize.

Rodney White/The Register

After receiving a ceremonial check at the Louisville Slugger Museum, Powerball winner David Edwards, of Westwood, Ky., answered reporters' questions with partner Shawna Maddux at his side. Edwards won $27 million in 2001 from his share of a $280 million jackpot.

After receiving a ceremonial check at the Louisville Slugger Museum, Powerball winner David Edwards, of Westwood, Ky., answered reporters’ questions with partner Shawna Maddux at his side. Edwards won $27 million in 2001 from his share of a $280 million jackpot.

Courier-Journal Archives

Iowa couple Brian and Mary Loshe of Bounderant won a Powerball jackpot worth $202.1 million in the fall of 2012. The couple has poured millions into their community, even setting a record for donations toward city park improvements.

Iowa couple Brian and Mary Loshe of Bounderant won a Powerball jackpot worth $202.1 million in the fall of 2012. The couple has poured millions into their community, even setting a record for donations toward city park improvements.

Rodney White/The Register

Powerball jackpot winner Marie Holmes claimed the $188 million prize in Feb. 2015. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it," Holmes told WECT. Holmes, who is not a frequent lottery player, said she was forced to quit her jobs at Walmart and McDonald's to care for her children, one of whom has cerebral palsy.

Powerball jackpot winner Marie Holmes claimed the $188 million prize in Feb. 2015. “I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it,” Holmes told WECT. Holmes, who is not a frequent lottery player, said she was forced to quit her jobs at Walmart and McDonald’s to care for her children, one of whom has cerebral palsy.

NC EDUCATION LOTTERY/SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN-TIMES

Dave Resnick of Sheboygan, Wis. attended a press conference with his daughter on June 25, 2014. Resnick is a $1 million Powerball state lottery winner. Resnick had been buying lottery tickets every day for 26 years, and it paid off in a big way. "I kept saying, 'One of these days I'm going to get lucky,'" he said. "And I got lucky."

Dave Resnick of Sheboygan, Wis. attended a press conference with his daughter on June 25, 2014. Resnick is a $1 million Powerball state lottery winner. Resnick had been buying lottery tickets every day for 26 years, and it paid off in a big way. “I kept saying, ‘One of these days I’m going to get lucky,'” he said. “And I got lucky.”

Kali Thiel/Sheboygan Press Media

Tayeb Souami of Little Ferry, N.J. was introduced as a $351.3 Million Powerball Winner in June of 2018. He purchased the winning ticket in Hackensack. As an accountant, Souami said it's all about numbers. And the number he saw on his winning ticket the day after he bought it was a good one. “I’m very emotional right now,” he said, both hands holding the lectern during the announcement. “I like the number.”

Tayeb Souami of Little Ferry, N.J. was introduced as a $351.3 Million Powerball Winner in June of 2018. He purchased the winning ticket in Hackensack. As an accountant, Souami said it’s all about numbers. And the number he saw on his winning ticket the day after he bought it was a good one. “I’m very emotional right now,” he said, both hands holding the lectern during the announcement. “I like the number.”

Chris Pedota/NorthJersey.com

Members of a group of nine lottery winners, co-workers at APAC Customer Services in Green Bay, Wis., show off their checks at Festival Foods in Bellevue in October 2014. The group split $1 million in Powerball winnings and planned to keep working at APAC while rattling off debts and other costs.

Members of a group of nine lottery winners, co-workers at APAC Customer Services in Green Bay, Wis., show off their checks at Festival Foods in Bellevue in October 2014. The group split $1 million in Powerball winnings and planned to keep working at APAC while rattling off debts and other costs.

File/Press-Gazette Media

Jim Scroggins, then-executive director of the Oklahoma Lottery, presents Don and Joyce Harvey with a Powerball check on Friday, June 29, 2007 during a news conference in Oklahoma City. The Harveys are the state's largest winners of the Oklahoma lottery winning a $105.8 million jackpot.

Jim Scroggins, then-executive director of the Oklahoma Lottery, presents Don and Joyce Harvey with a Powerball check on Friday, June 29, 2007 during a news conference in Oklahoma City. The Harveys are the state’s largest winners of the Oklahoma lottery winning a $105.8 million jackpot.

THE OKLAHOMAN FILE

Manuel Franco, 24, was the winner of a $768.4 million Powerball jackpot on April 23, 2019. With him are Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca, Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin and Moola, the lottery mascot. At the time, the prize was the largest jackpot in the Wisconsin Lottery's history, and the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

Manuel Franco, 24, was the winner of a $768.4 million Powerball jackpot on April 23, 2019. With him are Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca, Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin and Moola, the lottery mascot. At the time, the prize was the largest jackpot in the Wisconsin Lottery’s history, and the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Powerball winners Tiffany Robinson and her mother Lisa Robinson, Rebecca Hargrove, Tennessee Lottery President & CEO, and Powerball winner John Robinson, hold a check during a press conference at the Tennessee Lottery office on Jan. 15, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The $528 million Powerball jackpot marked a record-setting day for the Tennessee Lottery, with $18.9 million in tickets sold. Regardless of the winnings, the Robinsons said they planned to go back to work as usual.

Powerball winners Tiffany Robinson and her mother Lisa Robinson, Rebecca Hargrove, Tennessee Lottery President & CEO, and Powerball winner John Robinson, hold a check during a press conference at the Tennessee Lottery office on Jan. 15, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. The $528 million Powerball jackpot marked a record-setting day for the Tennessee Lottery, with $18.9 million in tickets sold. Regardless of the winnings, the Robinsons said they planned to go back to work as usual.

ANDREW NELLES/TENNESSEAN

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 throughJackpocket, 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 allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using 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). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

This story has been updated with new information.

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_.

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