An Arkansas ticket won the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot just before Christmas, according to American news.
A Powerball ticket sold in Arkansas won a $1.8 billion jackpot just before Christmas, making it one of the biggest lottery wins in the U.S. history. The winning ticket matched all six numbers during the Christmas Eve drawing on 24 December 2025, bringing holiday cheer to whoever bought it. Sky News
Historic Jackpot Win in Arkansas
The Powerball jackpot had climbed to an enormous $1.817 billion after several drawings without a winner. That made this prize the second-largest lottery jackpot ever in the United States and the biggest Powerball jackpot of 2025. Sky News
Only one previous Powerball jackpot—a $2.04 billion prize won in California in 2022—was bigger.
The Winning Numbers and Odds
The winning numbers drawn on Christmas Eve were:
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4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball number 19. Sky News
Those numbers beat the astronomical odds of about 1 in 292.2 million required to win the jackpot, highlighting just how rare such a win is. Sky News
Where and when was the ticket sold?
Lottery officials reported the ticket was sold in Cabot, Arkansas, a town just outside Little Rock. This is only the second time a jackpot-winning Powerball ticket has come from Arkansas — the first was in 2010. Yahoo News Malaysia
Payout Options: Lump Sum or Instalments
The jackpot winner now faces a major decision: take the full jackpot in annual payments spread over 29 years or choose a one-time lump sum payment of roughly $834.9 million before taxes. Sky News
Most winners opt for the lump sum, although both options have pros and cons depending on financial planning goals.
Taxes and Take-Home Amount
Even with a lump sum, federal and state taxes will reduce the amount significantly. Depending on tax rates, a winner choosing the cash option could end up with several hundred million dollars less than the headline figure once all withholdings are applied.
What This Means for Players and Communities
Big jackpots like this don’t just create individual winners—they also boost ticket sales nationwide. Every Powerball ticket purchased contributes to lottery funds that support public programmes in participating states, including education and community services. Sky News
Additionally, players from all over the U.S. claimed several secondary prizes in the same drawing. winning large prizes for matching five numbers and other combinations. People.com
A Christmas Miracle for Arkansas
Winning the jackpot just before Christmas adds an extra layer of excitement to the story. With the drawing held on the evening of 24 December, the news broke as people were finishing their holiday plans or waking up on Christmas Day. CBS News
Whether this winner bought their ticket as a gift, a tradition, or on a whim, their holiday just became unforgettable.
FAQs
1. Who won the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot?
The winner is a ticket holder from Arkansas, but their identity has not been publicly announced yet. CBS News
2. How much is the lump sum payout?
The lump sum cash option is approximately $834.9 million before taxes. Sky News
3. What were the winning Powerball numbers?
The winning numbers were 4, 25, 31, 52, and 59, with the Powerball 19. Sky News
4. How often have Powerball jackpots been won on Christmas Eve?
Only once before — in 2011 — has a Powerball jackpot been won on Christmas Eve. Sky News
5. What happens to the jackpot now?
After the jackpot is claimed, Powerball resets the prize to its starting amount (typically around $20 million) for the next drawing
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