Powerball jackpot reaches $249M for March 2 drawing: Winning numbers
Powerball jackpot reaches $249M for March 2 drawing: Winning numbers
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYTue, March 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM UTC
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The Powerball jackpot continues to rise ahead of the Monday, March 2, drawing, with it now sitting at $249 million with a cash value of $117.2 million.
Since the game began in 1992, the Powerball jackpot has been hit nearly 200 times, according to lottery officials. Today, 45 U.S. lotteries participate in the drawing, with five states opting out: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Some states have had more luck that others. Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the top five for the most Powerball winners.
With Monday night's drawing just hours away, here's what to know.
In this photo illustration, Powerball lottery tickets are displayed on a countertop at an Exxon Mobil gas station on December 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
More: Which Powerball numbers should you pick?
What are the winning numbers for the March 2 Powerball?
USA TODAY will post the winning numbers after the lottery drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET.
Do you have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball?
The short answer is no, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball.
Anyone visiting one of the 45 participating states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, can buy a Powerball ticket regardless of nationality. The only catch is that you must need the legal age requirement at the point of purchases, which is typically 18 years old, and buy the ticket from a licensed retailer.
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1 / 0See Powerball and Mega Millions winners who hit the jackpotTennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul, left, walks with an excited Janis Goodwin, middle and Frances Davenport as they prepare to pick up their million-dollar Powerball check at the lottery headquarters in Nashville on Oct. 3, 2005.
More: What states have the most lottery winners? What you .
Top 10 Powerball Jackpots -
$2.040 billion on Nov. 7, 2022 in California
$1.817 billion on Dec. 24, 2025 in Arkansas
$1.787 billion on Sept. 6, 2025 in Missouri and Texas
$1.765 billion on Oct. 11, 2023 in California
$1.586 billion on Jan. 13, 2016 in California, Florida and Tennessee
$1.326 billion on April 6, 2024 in Oregon
$1.080 billion on July 19, 2023 in California
$842.4 million on Jan. 1, 2024 in Michigan
$768.4 million on Mar. 27, 2019 in Wisconsin
$758.7 million on Aug. 23, 2017 in Massachusetts
How to play Powerball
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can buy them at most convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores. In some states, tickets are also available online, depending on local rules.
Once you have a ticket, you’ll choose six numbers. Five are white balls numbered 1 through 69, and the sixth is the red Powerball, numbered 1 through 26.
For an extra $1, players can add Power Play, which boosts winnings on all non‑jackpot prizes. The multiplier can increase prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or even 10X.
Don’t want to pick numbers yourself? The Quick Pick option lets the computer choose for you.
To win the jackpot, you have to match all five white balls (in any order) and the red Powerball.
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one hits the jackpot, the prize keeps rolling over — and climbing.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball jackpot: $249 million up for grabs March 2
Source: “AOL Money”
