What time is the Powerball drawing tonight? Schedule for the August 5, 2026 drawing and where to watch it

Powerball players will once again be watching closely on Wednesday, Aug. 5, as one of the largest jackpots of the year is up for grabs.

After Monday’s drawing failed to produce a grand prize winner, the jackpot has rolled over to an estimated $786 million, with a lump-sum cash option of approximately $341.6 million before taxes.

The growing prize has generated nationwide attention, placing the current jackpot among the biggest Powerball payouts in the game’s history.

While it does not rank among the all-time record jackpots, it remains one of the largest lottery prizes available in 2026 and is expected to drive a surge in ticket sales before the cutoff times in participating states.

The last drawing, held on Monday, Aug. 3, produced the winning numbers 8, 30, 41, 48, 54, with Powerball 4 and a 2x Power Play multiplier.

Although no ticket matched all six numbers, a Match 5 + Power Play ticket worth $2 million was sold in Wisconsin, while thousands of players claimed smaller prizes across the country.

With no jackpot winner, all eyes now turn to Wednesday night’s drawing.

The Powerball drawing will take place at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

For viewers in other U.S. time zones, that corresponds to:

– 9:59 p.m. Central Time

– 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time

– 7:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Powerball drawings are conducted three times each week, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at the Florida Lottery Draw Studio in Tallahassee.

Where to watch the Powerball drawing live

The drawing is broadcast live through a variety of local television stations that partner with participating state lotteries.

In addition, players can watch the drawing online through the official Powerball website and the game’s official YouTube channel, where the drawings are streamed live and archived afterward for anyone who wants to verify the results.

Once the drawing concludes, the winning numbers are also published on the official Powerball website, state lottery websites and authorized lottery retailers across the country.

Tickets cost $2 per play, with an optional $1 Power Play feature that can multiply non-jackpot prizes.

To enter, players select five white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Those who prefer not to choose their own numbers can use the Quick Pick option, which randomly generates selections.

The odds of winning the jackpot remain approximately 1 in 292.2 million, though Powerball offers nine different prize levels, allowing players to win smaller cash prizes without matching every number.

If someone wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will generally have two payment options.

Winners can receive the full advertised jackpot through an annuity paid over 30 years or choose the estimated $341.6 million lump-sum cash payment before federal and any applicable state taxes.

Powerball is currently played in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it one of the most widely available lottery games in North America.

As the jackpot continues to grow, lottery officials expect millions of additional tickets to be sold throughout Wednesday.

Whether a lucky player finally matches all six numbers or the prize rolls over yet again, the Aug. 5 drawing is set to be one of the most anticipated lottery events of the summer.