Powerball winning numbers for Dec. 20 drawing; $1.5 billion jackpot

Just in time for the holidays, the Powerball jackpot has now reached a staggering $1.5 billion, making it the 5th largest jackpot in lottery history.

If a ticket matches all five numbers and the Powerball drawing at 11pm ET on Saturday, December 20, the winner can opt for a one-time cash payout of $686.5 million, before taxes.

The Powerball jackpot has increased 45 consecutive times since Sept. 6, when two tickets in Missouri and Texas won the second-largest jackpot in the game’s history: $1.787 billion.

The 10 biggest Powerball jackpot winners

• $2.04 billion: November 7, 2022 – California

• $1.787 billion: September 6, 2025 – Texas and Missouri

• $1.765 billion: October 11, 2023 – California

• $1.586 billion: January 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee

• $1.5 billion: Current jackpot

• $1.326 billion: April 6, 2024 – Oregon

• $1.08 billion: July 19, 2023 – California

• $842.4 million: January 1, 2024 – Michigan

• $768.4 million: March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin

• $758.7 million: August 23, 2017 – Massachusetts

December 20, 2025 Powerball winning numbers

The winning numbers in Saturday’s draw: 4-5-28-52-69 and Powerball 20.

Sponsored by winning lottery numbers Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network.

How to play Powerball?

To play Powerball, you need to buy a ticket for $2. You can do this at a variety of places, including your local grocery store, gas station, or even your grocery store. Powerball tickets can be purchased online in some states.

After purchasing your ticket, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. Red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes.

The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.

If you’re feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, a “Quick Pick” option is available where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to increase.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and convenience stores. Lottery tickets can also be sold at some airport terminals.

You can also order tickets online. Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Networkin the following US states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. It is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for all conditions.

This story has been updated with new information.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is USA TODAY’s trending news reporter. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Powerball winning numbers for December 20 lottery jackpot worth $1.5 billion