A single Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas has claimed the $1.817 billion jackpot in the Christmas Eve drawing on December 24, 2025, marking the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The win ends a historic 47-drawing rollover streak—the longest in Powerball annals—and delivers an unprecedented holiday windfall to one fortunate player.
The Multi-State Lottery Association and Powerball organizers confirmed the jackpot swelled to $1.817 billion due to brisk last-minute sales following Monday's no-winner draw. “With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot reached $1.817 billion, making it the second-largest US lottery jackpot ever won and the largest Powerball prize this year,” Powerball stated.
The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with the red Powerball 19 and a 2x Power Play multiplier. The odds of matching all six stood at 1 in 292.2 million. The ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, a town of about 27,000 northeast of Little Rock. Arkansas law permits winners of prizes over $500,000 to remain anonymous for up to three years, so the holder's identity remains undisclosed as of December 26, 2025.
The winner faces a choice: the full $1.817 billion annuitized over 30 years (one immediate payment plus 29 annual installments increasing 5% yearly) or a lump-sum cash option of approximately $834.9 million before federal and state taxes. Most opt for the cash payout.
“This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, chair of the Powerball Product Group and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak—every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
This marks only the second Powerball jackpot win in Arkansas history, the first in 2010. The previous jackpot was split on September 6, 2025, by tickets in Missouri and Texas for $1.787 billion. The all-time record remains the $2.04 billion Powerball won in California in 2022.
The rollover began after the September win, spanning 47 drawings—a new Powerball record. Large jackpots fuel surges in sales, benefiting state lotteries that fund education, infrastructure, and other services. Powerball tickets cost $2 each (plus optional add-ons) and are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Powerball has been won once before on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day. This holiday triumph adds to the game's lore of festive fortunes.
As of December 26, 2025, the jackpot resets to an estimated $20 million for the next drawing on Saturday, December 27. The Arkansas win captivates the nation, sparking dreams of instant wealth amid holiday reflections.
