North Carolina Player Secures $209 Million Powerball Jackpot
In a remarkable lottery event, a player in North Carolina won the Powerball jackpot of $209 million on January 21, 2026. This victory marks the first jackpot of 2026 and the sixth time the Powerball has been won in this state.
Details of the Winning Ticket
The specific location where the winning ticket was purchased has not yet been disclosed. The winner now has the option to receive a cash payout of approximately $95.3 million. This jackpot came just weeks after a player in Arkansas won a staggering $1.817 billion on December 24, 2025, making it the second-largest prize in Powerball history.
Upcoming Drawings and Prizes
Following this jackpot win, the Powerball will reset to an estimated $20 million for the next drawing on Saturday. The winning numbers for January 21 were 11, 26, 27, 53, 55, and the Powerball number was 12, with a Powerplay multiplier of 2x.
How to Play Powerball
To participate in Powerball, players must purchase tickets for $2 each. They can also add the Power Play option for an additional $1, potentially increasing non-jackpot prizes. Participants select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.
Lottery Participation Across the States
Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, as well as in Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be purchased at various locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery shops. Online ticket purchases are also possible in select states through the Jackpocket app.
Broadcasting Information
Powerball drawings are held three times a week, scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Interested participants can watch the drawing live on the official lottery website or through certain local television stations.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are approximately 292,201,338 to 1, while the odds of matching all five white balls are about 11,688,053 to 1. Despite the slim chances, the excitement surrounding the lottery continues to attract players.
Top Powerball Jackpots
Since its inception in 1992, the Powerball has seen impressive jackpots, including:
- $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 (California)
- $1.817 billion – Dec. 24, 2025 (Arkansas)
- $1.787 billion – Sept. 6, 2025 (Missouri and Texas)
- $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 (California)
- $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)
For more information on recent lottery news and updates, visit Filmogaz.com.
