X's and O's is an upcoming football-themed game that will be played in multiple states. Launching on September 8, 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 has been established in partnership between Powerball and the National Football League (NFL).
Prize 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 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. In the beginning however there are fixed cash prizes at each level, with the expectation that NFL themed prizes will join as the season progresses.
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.
| 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 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 will launch in the following 24 jurisdictions - Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia.
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.
