What is the Largest Powerball Jackpot in History?
Written by Jackpot Staff
Updated: May 5, 2026
The Powerball lottery game has been synonymous with life-changing fortunes, capturing the imaginations of millions with its staggering jackpots. Among these, the record-setting winnings of $2.04 billion, stands as the current highest jackpot for the Powerball lottery game. This unparalleled prize highlights the sheer magnitude of what's possible in the realm of lottery jackpots, setting a benchmark for future draws. Take a chance to make history today with Jackpot.com!
What was the largest Powerball jackpot?
The record for the largest Powerball jackpot ever won was a staggering $2.04 billion, claimed in California by Edwin Castro on November 7, 2022. This monumental prize not only set the record for Powerball jackpots but also for US lottery jackpots as a whole.
The winning ticket was sold at a gas station in the Los Angeles area, and is seconded by a September drawing that banked the Missouri and Texas winners a massive $1.787 billion.
Top 10 Powerball jackpots
Looking at the top 10 Powerball jackpots of all time unveils the staggering heights of lottery winnings, spotlighting the lucky draws that have turned ordinary tickets into extraordinary fortunes.
1 - $2.04 Billion - November 7, 2022, in California
2 - 1.787 Billion - September 6, 2025, in Texas and Missouri
3 - $1.765 Billion - October 11, 2023
4 - $1.586 Billion - January 13, 2016, shared by winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee
5 - $.326 Billion - April 7, 2024, in Oregon
6 - 1.08 Billion - July 19, 2023, in California
7 - $824.4 Million - January 1, 2024 in Michigan
8 - $768.4 Million - March 27, 2019, in Wisconsin
9 - $758.7 Million - August 23, 2017, in Massachusetts
10 - $754.6 Million - February 6, 2023, in Washington
What are the largest lottery jackpots overall?
In the world of lottery jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions dominate the leaderboard with some of the largest prizes ever awarded, including:
- $2.04 Billion Powerball – November 7, 2022: The highest lottery jackpot in current history was won by Edwin Castro in California.
- $1.787 Billion – The second highest jackpot ever won was split between two winning tickets, one bought in Texas and the other in Missouri.
- $1.765 Billion Powerball – October 11, 2023: This massive prize was claimed by a single ticket sold at Midway Market & Liquor in Frazier Park, California.
- $1.602 Billion Mega Millions – August 8, 2023: Setting the record for the largest Mega Millions prize ever, this ticket was sold at a Publix in Neptune Beach, Florida.
- $1.586 Billion Powerball – January 13, 2016: This historic "three-way split" was shared by winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee.
- $1.537 Billion Mega Millions – October 23, 2018: A single lucky winner in South Carolina claimed this prize anonymously, opting for the one-time cash payment.
- $1.348 Billion Mega Millions – January 13, 2023: This Friday the 13th drawing resulted in the first-ever Mega Millions jackpot win for the state of Maine.
- $1.337 Billion Mega Millions – July 29, 2022: Two people who agreed to split the prize claimed this jackpot after buying the ticket at a gas station in Des Plaines, Illinois.
- $1.326 Billion Powerball – April 7, 2024: A single ticket sold in Portland, Oregon, ended a three-month jackpot drought and became the state's largest win.
- $1.220 Billion Mega Millions – December 27, 2024: A holiday season miracle occurred for a winner in Cottonwood, California, who held the only ticket to match all numbers.
Who won the largest Powerball jackpots?
The largest Powerball jackpots have created some remarkable stories of fortune and life change. Here are a few of the most notable winners:
2.04 Billion (November 7, 2022): Edwin Castro won this jackpot in late 2022. Claiming it three months later, he received a lump sum of $628.5 million after taxes. In the years following this tremendous turn of fortune, Castro has bought mansions, showing a permanent change in his estate.
$1.787 Billion (September 6, 2025): The second-largest jackpot in history was split between two tickets in Missouri and Texas. The Texas winner, who claimed their share through a blind trust, opted for the cash value of approximately $412 million. Since the win, the "Show-Me State" winner has remained strictly anonymous, while the Texas trust has made headlines for massive philanthropic donations to local children's hospitals.
$1.765 Billion (October 11, 2023): This massive prize was claimed five months later by Theodorus Struyck, representing a group of winners in the tiny mountain town of Frazier Park, California. After taking the $774 million cash value, Struyck - a 65-year-old grandfather - reportedly stayed in his modest community, though he did hire a private security firm to help manage his newfound fame and the influx of visitors to his quiet street.
$1.586 Billion (January 13, 2016): This historic "three-way split" went to the Robinsons (Tennessee), the Acostas (California), and Maureen Smith (Florida). While the Robinsons famously appeared on Today before even cashing their ticket, the Acostas waited months to claim their prize and have lived a completely private life ever since. Maureen Smith and her husband continue to live in their longtime neighborhood, often seen driving a Tesla, one of their few "extravagant" purchases.
$1.326 Billion (April 7, 2024): Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, an immigrant from Laos living in Portland, Oregon, claimed this prize while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. He split the $621 million cash lump sum with his wife and a family friend. In the two years since his win, Saephan has focused on his health and providing for his family, stating that the money "bought him peace of mind" during his medical battles.
$1.08 Billion (July 19, 2023): Yanira Alvarez waited nearly a year to come forward after purchasing her winning ticket at Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles. She chose the one-time lump sum of $558.1 million. Aside from her name being released per California law, she has remained entirely out of the public eye, avoiding the "mansion-buying" publicity that followed Edwin Castro.
The Power of Luck
The allure of the Powerball lottery game and its record-setting jackpots continues to captivate the imagination of millions, serving as a reminder of the sheer unpredictability and excitement that comes with the game. While the odds are slim, the history of these remarkable wins shows that anything is possible. Whether for the thrill of the game or the dream of life-changing wealth, Powerball remains a staple of American lottery games and a symbol of boundless possibilities.
