Christmas Eve Powerball jackpot hits $1.7 billion, fourth largest in U.S. history

December 24, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:30 PM

Wednesday’s Christmas Eve Powerball drawing drops a $1.7 billion prize down the chimney, the fourth largest jackpot in U.S. history.

A winner tonight could claim the jackpot as a $1.7 billion annuity or $781.3 million in cash.

Players in North Carolina unwrapped lots of big wins in Monday’s drawing:

A $3 Power Play ticket purchased at the Kwik Buy on Randleman Road in Greensboro won $100,000 when the 2X multiplier came up.
A $3 Power Play ticket purchased at RM Mart on Seaside Road Southwest in Sunset Beach won $100,000 when the 2X multiplier came up.
A $2 ticket bought at the Breeze Thru on Durham Road in Roxboro won $50,000.
A $2 ticket bought at the Speedway on N.C. 24 in Newport won $50,000.
A $2 ticket bought at the Citistop on Dana Road in Hendersonville won $50,000.
A $3 Double Play ticket bought at Prime Express on Mallard Creek Road in Charlotte won $50,000. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to play their Powerball numbers again in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million.

Monday’s big wins made it 10 straight Powerball drawings with North Carolinians winning prizes of at least $50,000 and eight straight with at least a $100,000 winner.

The Powerball jackpot has been won one time previously on Christmas Eve in 2011 when a Maryland ticket won a $125 million prize.

Players can buy Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website or NC Lottery Official Mobile App. The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

15 COMMENTS

12/28/2025 07:54 - Mike S.

I cannot sign on to check my account or add points or enter points for monthly drawingsNC Lottery
Hi, Mike! We're sorry you're having problems accessing your account. If you're still experiencing this issue, please reach out to our Online Support team at https://nclottery.com/Help for more assistance.

12/27/2025 08:36 - Tuja L.

I Hope this number going to win one day:7-14-27-36-49=12

12/27/2025 08:38 - Renee L.

According to the list of winnings, someone physically bought a ticket at a retail store. Has anyone won a good or substantial amount by playing online? Hmmm... Inquiring minds want to know.NC Lottery
Hi Renee, in the December 17th Powerball drawing a player with a ticket from Online Play won a $200,000 prize. Here's a link to the story: https://nclottery.com/NewsBlogDetails/2025/12/22/Raleigh-woman-wins-%E2%80%9Cpie-in-the-sky%E2%80%9D-200000-Powerball-prize

12/27/2025 07:46 - Larry E.

So who won the one. Seven billion lottery was it me. Haven’t heard anything from the news who won

12/27/2025 05:15 - Sandy C.

I need the lucky numbers!!!

12/26/2025 11:44 - Cathleen P.

I'm wondering, has there ever been a winner from online play for the larger jackpots? I'm starting to believe not.

12/26/2025 10:40 - Christine R.

I agree with one of the comments. I think each winner should get 100000.00 then draw more numbers and give them 100000.00 keep going u til the money has all been won. Think about it. More people would buy tickets more winners would help the economy and more winners family would benefit. It's a win that's huge because of the number of people involved.

12/25/2025 04:04 - Phillip B.

You people need to spread these winnings around.I think you all should have at least four winners a month. It is ridicules not to there is plenty to go around it should be won a lot more often not held back to for taxes and profit.

12/25/2025 01:02 - sharon h.

Don’t forget me????

12/25/2025 09:10 - Brian T.

There's more people and more taxes than there has ever been in history, but yet we need the lottery to subsidize our schools or whatever other fund that other states use for a reason. The whole time our cities, counties, and states keep telling us that they need to go up on taxes as the country gets worse and lottery greed grows with more expensive tickets and game cheating. When scammers are regulated by scammers how can scamming be avoided?

12/25/2025 08:48 - Judy N.

How to see my numbers after the drawingNC Lottery
Great question! If you are on our desktop site, click on your username and select "Transaction History" you should see an option that says "Past Draws" which will show previous transactions for Online Play games. On this screen, select "Game Results" to view the winning numbers of the draw as well as the numbers you played. If you are using our mobile app, select “Account” in the bottom right and scroll to “Past Draws” under the Online Play History section. Hope this helps!

12/25/2025 08:39 - James K.

HOw do I check for 2nd chance drawingsNC Lottery
Second-chance promotions are drawings that are open exclusively to players who have purchased and entered the eligible games. If you enter a ticket with a second-chance promotion, you will receive your points and entries automatically when you scan the ticket to collect points. That’s even more chances to win! You can find the current Second Chance drawings here: https://nclottery.com/rewards/second-chance

12/24/2025 09:47 - joanie m.

I bought tickets online but it’s not saying a powerball ticket like usual my cash 5 says it’s a cash 5 ticket not sure what’s going onNC Lottery
Hi Joanie, click on your username and your Dashboard should appear. Then, click on Transaction History. There you can view things like past draw tickets and upcoming draw tickets. If you aren't seeing the purchase that you made, please call Online Play customer support and we can review your account: 866-934-0289

12/24/2025 09:42 - joanie m.

Yes it is 1.7 Billion In it to Win

12/24/2025 03:45 - JOHN M.

? Why do I think you’re scam lost lots of money never win.

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Christmas Eve Powerball jackpot hits $1.7 billion, fourth largest in U.S. history

December 24, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:30 PM

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