Powerball jackpot winner claims $209.3 million prize

January 27, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:17 PM

The lucky lottery player who won Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot of $209.3 million claimed the prize on Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

The player chose to remain anonymous for 90 days. Under state law, when a lottery player in North Carolina wins a prize of $50 million or more, the player can choose to keep their win anonymous for up to 90 days after claiming the prize.

The jackpot win, the second largest prize won in North Carolina lottery history, came with a single ticket that matched all six numbers in Wednesday’s drawing. The winning numbers in the drawing were 11–26−27−53−55 and the Powerball was 12.

The winning ticket came from West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids. The retailer will receive a $50,000 bonus incentive for selling a winning Powerball jackpot ticket.

When the winner arrived on Thursday to claim the prize, the winner had a choice of an annuity of $209.3 million paid in 30 payments over 29 years or a lump sum payment of $95.3 million. The winner chose the lump sum payment of $95.3 million and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $68.6 million.

28 COMMENTS

1/29/2026 08:06 - Daniel W.

There seems to be a disconnect with what lottery officials say about anonymity and what Senate Bill 402 says about it. As of July 1, 2025, a new law (Senate Bill 402) allows winners of $5 million or more to request that their identifying information remain confidential indefinitely. Previously, this anonymity was limited to wins over $50 million for only 90 days. Why is there a difference?NC Lottery
Hi, Daniel! Currently, we're required to share a big winner's name, hometown, game played, and amount won for big winners in NC. For winners of $50 million or more, they can choose to remain anonymous for 90 days after claiming their prize, after which, the winner's information would be released in accordance with public information laws.

1/29/2026 12:55 - coriante s.

So glad to see this allowing people in nc to be anonymous I watch other states like sc and Florida. For people in the comments the lottery has to celebrate the winners and I get it you want to stay safe. Do what the guy in Florida did they waited 90 days but he also got a llc in Delaware and that was anonymous so nobody will ever know only the llc saltines holding 1.6 billion on mega million ?????

1/28/2026 02:06 - Song H.

Rumors that illegal winning and getting deported is fake news, the real winner just claimed ticket. Also citizenship or legal status only applies to tax withholding, so anyone 18 and order than claim winning.

1/28/2026 02:03 - Song H.

Bill 402 hasn't passed, so 90 days and 5 million threshold still applies cutrently

1/28/2026 10:43 - Adrian B.

Congratulations

1/28/2026 10:35 - ANTHONY H.

Praying that I would win Big too!!!

1/28/2026 10:23 - Mary f.

Congratulations

1/28/2026 10:22 - Mary f.

At rooger K. If was was an illegal why would they put it in their name? Hater

1/28/2026 09:22 - Gail W.

Good for them - be careful of leeches and stay humble and don’t forget to tithe????

1/28/2026 09:19 - James F.

Whoever must owe like helllllll that's a hell of a chunk

1/28/2026 06:53 - Daniel W.

As of January 2026, North Carolina lottery winners of $5 million or more can request to keep their identifying information confidential. This rule change significantly lowered the previous threshold of $50 million and removed the 90-day time limit on anonymity. NC Lottery
Hi Daniel, according to North Carolina law, a winner of a lottery prize of $50 million or more may choose to remain anonymous for 90 days after claiming.

1/28/2026 02:55 - MORRIS B.

That's ridiculous NCEL..how many people gonna win $50 million dollars in NC on the regular. Does the NCEL not know in 2026 people will rob or hurt people for $100 these days?! SC and VA are anonymous for prizes of 100,000 or more and do just fine combatting fraud and maintaining the integrity of the game without jeoparding people safety. How bout lower it to $100,000 or more and keep your lottery players who supply millions of dollars for NC safe or do y'all don't care but about the money above people first?!

1/28/2026 02:17 - MICHAEL B.

Question, I was told winners over $5 million dollars can remain anonymous indefinitely? Is this correct? Also, Congratulations on your win, God Bless you and your family. NC Lottery
Hi Michael, according to North Carolina law, a winner of a lottery prize of $50 million or more may choose to remain anonymous for 90 days after claiming.

1/28/2026 02:05 - MICHAEL B.

Congratulations on your win

1/28/2026 12:28 - carey p.

I heard that a Mexican won that lottery ticket and the ice people arrested him. And took the lottery and sent it to the white house. Is that true?

1/27/2026 10:50 - Ivory M.

20 years of playing and nothing,I think I think it's time for a new path

1/27/2026 10:38 - Paulita P.

Congratulations!!

1/27/2026 10:30 - James F.

Congratulations! Plus, remaining anonymous is the best way to go!

1/27/2026 09:38 - Rodney P.

Great Job.

1/27/2026 08:37 - Angela P.

If you feel you're going to win, I say GO FOR IT!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN

1/27/2026 08:26 - Philip A.

Will the winner be made public after ninety days? Just curious! Also when was the last Powerball jackpot won in NC before the current one?NC Lottery
Hi Philip, the winner's name and home town will be made public after 90 days. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won in North Carolina was on June 1, 2019, when a $344.6 million Powerball prize was won!

1/27/2026 07:47 - sharon h.

1/27/2026 07:17 - Berry B.

68.6 out of 209.3,WOW!congratulations

1/27/2026 06:20 - Vernon W.

Congratulations!!!!

1/27/2026 05:36 - Brenda J.

If I know you contact me please

1/27/2026 01:48 - Stanley E.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You deserve it!!!!!!! May you continue to be blessed!!!!!!!!!

1/27/2026 01:48 - Elizabeth C.

Congratulations to the lucky winner!

1/27/2026 01:27 - Roger K.

I've heard he was illegal

Powerball jackpot winner claims $209.3 million prize

January 27, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:17 PM

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