The biggest Powerball jackpot prize of 2026 — and eighth largest prize ever won in Powerball — has been claimed one month after the life-changing drawing. The Illinois Lottery announced that the state’s second biggest lottery prize winner has stepped forth.
The winner chose to stay anonymous, but has issued a statement of disbelief at this turn of events. They told lottery officials “I initially didn’t believe I had won, so I called a family member to confirm it. Even after claiming the prize, I’m still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot — from disbelief and shock to overwhelming elation.”
They went on to say, “I never could have imagined that a $2 purchase would lead to a $1.04 billion jackpot. This is truly a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful for this unexpected and extraordinary opportunity.”
The winner had matched all five numbers plus the Powerball in the August 12 drawing, which was the third time in Powerball history that the jackpot had gone to the Prairie State. The numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, 69, and the Powerball 9.
The winning ticket was bought at a gas station in Quincy, implying that the winner is a resident of the Illinois city, or somebody who popped over the bridge from Missouri. The gas station was Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh at 310 N. 36th St., the managers and employees of which will no doubt celebrate this victory too. Even more fortuitously, the numbers were selected with a Quick Pick and the winner played only one line, highlighting once again the role of randomness and luck and how one draw entry can change everything.
It is reported that the winner sought financial and legal advice before stepping forward to start their claim. Illinois Lottery winners get a year from the draw date to do this, and the window for selecting the manner of receiving the prizes (lump sum or annuity) expires sixty days after the drawing.
The lump sum was clearly desired in this case, as after the sixty days have elapsed the payment defaults to annuity form. The winner took the one-time payment, which is worth $450.5 million before taxes.
Read more about the Illinois Powerball jackpot win.
The jackpot victories of others and their subsequent prize-claiming can be pretty inspirational, especially when you realize that the winner is somebody random. If you would like to play, you can do so by visiting a licensed lottery vendor, locating the Powerball playslips or requesting them, and filling them out. Mark the Quick Pick box if you’d like to follow the example set by the Illinois winner. You can also play online in some states.
Powerball drawings take place three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. You can find the results after every drawing.
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Wednesday September 16, 2026