Powerball Xs and Os

X's and O's is an upcoming football-themed game that will be played in multiple states. Set to launch in August or early September 2026 in time for the new NFL season, it is aimed at sports fans as much as lottery fans. Prizes will focus on great experiences rather than just cash payouts.

Find out more about the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) game that has been established in partnership between Powerball and the National Football League (NFL). Full details have yet to be officially announced and will only be finalized in the coming months.

How to Play X's and O's

The format of Powerball X's and O's is set to be based on a tic-tac-toe-style grid. The NFL logo will occupy the middle square of the 3-by-3 grid, with team logos filling the other squares.

Instead of picking numbers, you must pick 8 out of the 32 NFL teams. The idea is to connect sports fans with Powerball, so you can choose your favorite teams rather than just relying on lucky numbers. There will still be a Quick Pick option for those players who prefer to go with a random approach.

The cost per ticket will be $5. This price point was decided after extensive research and focus groups, with fans reportedly receptive to spending up to $12 per ticket but the product group settling on $5.

Drawings are expected to be scheduled for Sundays, tying in with the traditional NFL game day and setting X's and O's apart from other national draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Odds and Prizes

The prize structure for X's and O's has not yet been confirmed, but rewards are set to be determined by the number of spots you match - how many NFL teams you match out of the eight you pick.

While X's and O's will be grounded in cash prizes, with a 'modest rolling jackpot' to keep the game self-funded, the MUSL has made it clear that the emphasis will be on experiential prizes related to the NFL. This helps to differentiate it from traditional lotteries and appeal to sports fans.

These prizes will be opportunities that money cannot buy, such as 'putting you in a suite at the Super Bowl, putting you on the podium on draft night, potentially making a pick for your favorite team', according to Iowa Lottery President and CEO and Powerball Group Chair Matt Strawn.

The odds of winning will be published closer to the launch date. If the game requires you to match eight out of 32 to get one of the top prizes, your chances of winning in this category are 1 in 10,518,300.

Second-chance drawings are also expected to be a feature of X's and O's, giving you even more opportunities to win. Special drawings may be held to determine the most exciting experiential prizes.

X's and O's Participating States

The full list of participating jurisdictions will be announced in due course, but it is set to played widely across the nation. As X's and O's is an MUSL game associated with Powerball, it has the potential to be available in all the same locations - 45 states plus Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

At least 31 states are understood to be committed to offering the game, so it could reach up to 150 million people. Officials from Oklahoma, Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania were among the first to comment on the value of a partnership between Powerball and the NFL.

Remaining state lotteries will evaluate proposals before deciding whether it is a good fit.

X's and O's FAQs