Illinois ticket claims $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot after months of rollovers

Key points

• The winning ticket was purchased at a Hy-Vee gas station on 36th Street in Quincy, Illinois, according to state lottery officials.
• The winning numbers for the August 12 drawing were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, with a Powerball number of 9 and a 2x Power Play multiplier.
• The jackpot, which reached $1.04 billion after months of rollovers, is the eighth-largest in Powerball history and the largest prize won in 2026.
• The winner can choose between an annuity of approximately $1.04 billion paid over 29 years or a lump-sum cash payment of $450.5 million before taxes.
• Other major prizes included a $2 million win in Massachusetts and $1 million wins in Arizona, California, Florida, and North Carolina.
• The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for August 15, with the jackpot resetting to an estimated $20 million.

Background

The August 12 jackpot followed a three-month period without a top-prize winner, with the previous jackpot being a $20 million split between Texas and Florida on May 2. The current jackpot run included the first drawings with United Kingdom players since ticket sales launched there on July 21. The $1.04 billion prize is the eighth-largest in Powerball history, behind the $2.04 billion win in California in 2022 and the $1.817 billion win in Arkansas in December 2025.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources agree on the core facts: the jackpot amount, the winning numbers, the location of the ticket sale, and the prize options. USA TODAY and The Guardian emphasize the historical significance of the jackpot as the eighth-largest ever and the largest of 2026. The Detroit News highlights the inclusion of UK players in the drawing and notes that two Michigan tickets won $50,000 each. WGEM provides local color, quoting Hy-Vee officials and the store manager, who noted receiving calls since 3 a.m. The sources differ slightly in emphasis: USA TODAY and The Guardian focus on the jackpot's place in history, while The Detroit News and WGEM provide more regional and local details. No source reports that the winner has come forward, and all note that the winner can choose between the annuity and lump-sum options.

Why it matters

The $1.04 billion jackpot is a significant event in lottery history, representing the eighth-largest prize ever awarded by Powerball and the largest of 2026. It ends a three-month drought without a top-prize winner and resets the jackpot to $20 million for the next drawing. The prize also highlights the growing popularity of Powerball, including the recent expansion to the United Kingdom.

What to watch

The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for August 15 at 10:59 p.m. ET, with the jackpot starting at an estimated $20 million. Lottery officials are urging players to check their tickets from the August 12 drawing, as more than 3 million tickets won cash prizes. The winner of the $1.04 billion jackpot has not yet been identified, and it is not clear if they will come forward or choose the annuity or lump-sum option.