X's and O's is a football-themed game played in multiple states. Launched in September 2026 in time for the new NFL season, it is aimed at sports fans as much as lottery fans. Prizes focus on great experiences rather than just cash payouts.
Find out more about the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) game that was established in partnership between Powerball and the National Football League (NFL).
Prizes start for matching four of the teams drawn out of eight and go up to the 'Match 8' category, rewarding the winner(s) with the jackpot amount shared equally amongst all winners.
While X's and O's is grounded in cash prizes, with a 'modest rolling jackpot' to keep the game self-funded, the MUSL has made it clear that the emphasis is on experiential prizes related to the NFL. This helps to differentiate it from traditional lotteries and appeal to sports fans.
Some of the non-cash prizes will also 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 following table shows the prize tiers and cash prizes in the main draw.
| Match | Odds of Winning | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Match 8 | 1 in 10,518,300 | Jackpot starting at $1 Million |
| Match 7 | 1 in 54,782 | $20,000 |
| Match 6 | 1 in 1,361 | $500 |
| Match 5 | 1 in 92 | $40 |
| Match 4 | 1 in 14 | $7 |
Second-chance drawings are also a key 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 is currently played in the following 25 jurisdictions - Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia.
It was available in most of these locations from its launch date in September 2026. Idaho and Massachusetts joined the following month.
The game is played widely across the nation and, as an MUSL game associated with Powerball, it has the potential to be available in even more locations. More jurisdictions are expected to join in the future, taking advantage in the value of a partnership between Powerball and the NFL.
The format of Powerball X's and O's is based on a tic-tac-toe-style grid. The NFL logo occupies 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 is still a Quick Pick option for those players who prefer to go with a random approach.
The cost per ticket is $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 scheduled for Sundays at 9:00 pm CT, 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.
You will have to claim prizes through your state lottery as with any draw game. Lotteries will work with the NFL to organize experiential prizes and guide you through the claiming process.
X's and O's has been designed to run all year round, so draws will still take place in the offseason and prizes may offer other lifestyle benefits besides NFL experiences.
No, but, according to Oklahoma Lottery Executive Director Jay Finks, 'it's going to be able to live in that environment, thrive in that environment without being sports betting'. The game can be played and enjoyed by anyone, even non-NFL fans.
