The anticipation surrounding the Powerball drawing tonight reached new heights as players across the country eagerly checked their tickets for a chance to win one of the largest jackpots of the year. On Wednesday, September 3, the Powerball winning numbers were officially announced: 3, 16, 29, 61, 69, and the Powerball was 22.
This historic lottery drawing carried an eye-watering jackpot of $1.4 billion, making it the fourth-largest prize in Powerball history. For the lucky individual who matched all six numbers, the payout option is a lump sum cash prize of $634.3 million before taxes. Even after federal and state taxes, a winner would still walk away with hundreds of millions.
Did Anyone Win the Powerball?
As of this morning, lottery officials have yet to confirm if anyone matched all six Powerball numbers tonight. If no winning ticket was sold, the jackpot will roll over once again, pushing it even higher for the next Powerball drawing scheduled for Saturday, September 6.
If a winner does emerge, it will be the fifth jackpot winner of 2025. Earlier this year, winners in Oregon, California, Kentucky, and another undisclosed location claimed massive payouts ranging from $167 million to $528 million. But if no ticket matches all the Powerball numbers September 3, players can expect the prize to inch closer to the record-breaking $2.04 billion jackpot won in November 2022.
A Year of Record Powerball Jackpots
The excitement around Powerball is not new. With three drawings each week—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights—the game has created millionaires across the nation for decades. In 2025 alone, four jackpots have already been claimed, the largest being the $527 million prize in March.
However, this Powerball September 3 jackpot stands out because it is the largest since April 2024, when the prize soared to over $1.3 billion. The sheer size of the prize highlights how long it has been since a player matched the elusive combination of five white balls and the red Powerball.
How to Play Powerball
For those unfamiliar with the game, participating in a Powerball drawing is simple. Tickets cost just $2 and can be purchased at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many states now also allow online purchases, making access even easier.
Players select five numbers between 1 and 69, plus one Powerball number between 1 and 26. To boost potential winnings on non-jackpot prizes, participants can add the “Power Play” multiplier for an additional $1. The multiplier can increase winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x.
The odds of hitting the jackpot remain steep—just 1 in 292.2 million—but that hasn’t stopped millions of Americans from dreaming big and taking their shot at fortune.
What Happens Next?
If no one claims the prize from the Powerball drawing September 3, the jackpot will continue to climb, possibly surpassing $1.5 billion by the weekend. The next drawing will take place Saturday, September 6, at 11 p.m. ET, with tickets available until about an hour before the numbers are drawn.
Players should always remember to play responsibly. While it is fun to imagine becoming an overnight billionaire, the odds remain long. Still, every drawing carries the hope that someone, somewhere, will beat the odds and take home life-changing money.
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