Someone in Illinois Just Won the $1.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot, the Biggest Prize of the Year

A single Powerball ticket sold in Illinois matched all six numbers in Wednesday night's drawing, claiming an estimated $1.04 billion jackpot, according to the lottery organization. It is the largest Powerball prize of 2026 so far, and the eighth-largest in the game's history. The win ends a drought that stretched across 44 consecutive drawings.

U.S. NewsBy J. Mendez4d ago2 min read

Last updated: August 17, 2026, 12:42 PM

Photo by AAP: Mick Tsikas

The Winning Numbers

Wednesday night's winning combination was 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, with red Powerball 9.

One ticket in Illinois hit them all.

The Choice: $1.04 Billion or $450.5 Million

The winner now faces the classic lottery dilemma. They can take the full annuitized prize of an estimated $1.04 billion, paid out over 29 years, or a lump cash payment of $450.5 million up front.

Both figures are before taxes, which will take a substantial bite either way.

A Jackpot Months in the Making

The prize grew this large because nobody could win it. Wednesday's drawing was the 44th in a row without a jackpot winner, a streak dating back to the last win on May 2. Each rollover pushed the pot higher until it crossed the billion-dollar line.

Where It Ranks in Lottery History

Billion-dollar jackpots, once unthinkable, keep coming. Last year alone produced two Powerball prizes above $1 billion, including a $1.8 billion jackpot won on Christmas Eve, the biggest US lottery prize ever.

A $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot split by two tickets in Missouri and Texas in September 2025 stands as the third-largest prize in US lottery history.

Wednesday's Illinois win slots in at number eight all time.

What Comes Next

The winner has yet to come forward, and the clock on claiming the prize starts now. Whoever holds the ticket will need to decide between the long annuity and the immediate lump sum, and, depending on Illinois disclosure rules, whether their name becomes public. Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot resets and the countdown to the next billion-dollar run begins.

FAQ

How much is the Powerball jackpot won in Illinois?

An estimated $1.04 billion, the largest Powerball jackpot of 2026 and the eighth-largest in the game's history.

What were the winning Powerball numbers?

4, 26, 66, 67, 69, with red Powerball 9, drawn Wednesday night.

How much is the cash option?

A lump sum of $450.5 million before taxes, versus the full $1.04 billion annuity paid over 29 years.

How long had the jackpot been rolling over?

Wednesday was the 44th consecutive drawing without a winner. The last jackpot hit on May 2.

What is the biggest Powerball jackpot ever?

A $1.8 billion prize won on Christmas Eve last year, the largest US lottery prize in history.

J. Mendez

Writer

J. Mendez is a writer with a decade of experience covering the full spectrum from politics to entertainment. Holding a degree in political science, Mendez brings analytical depth to reporting on government, policy, and public affairs while also delivering sharp, engaging coverage of film, television, music, and celebrity culture. Over ten years in the field, their work has spanned hard news, cultural analysis, and feature writing, consistently connecting the political and the popular for a broad audience.

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