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Powerball and Mega Millions combined jackpots surge to over half a billion dollars

September 18, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 2:16 PM
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Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to climb as the combined total reaches $542 million this weekend.

A winner in Saturday’s Powerball drawing would have the choice of taking home the $298 million jackpot as an annuity or $126.6 million in cash.

A winner in tonight’s Mega Millions drawing would have the choice of taking home the $244 million jackpot as an annuity or $103.5 million in cash.

“North Carolinians have a lot to be excited about with these high jackpots,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Best of luck to all players trying their luck this weekend.”

While both jackpots are on the rise, Powerball and Mega Millions players are still taking home wins. Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing produced nearly 5,000 winning tickets in North Carolina. Wednesday’s Powerball drawing saw over 16,200 winning tickets.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290 million. The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Players can buy Mega Millions or Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

For details on how lottery funds make a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.


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Powerball Logo Jackpot Estimate $298 Million Cash Value $126.6 Million Next Drawing Sat, Sep 19 Latest Drawing Wed, Sep 16
2 21 24 25 64 7
POWER PLAY 2x Double Play
16 30 44 64 67 3
Mega Millions Logo Jackpot Estimate $244 Million Cash Value $103.5 Million Next Drawing Fri, Sep 18 Latest Drawing Tue, Sep 15
27 36 43 57 58 16
Cash 5 Logo Jackpot Estimate $130,000 Next Daily Drawing Fri, Sep 18 Latest Drawing Thu, Sep 17
1 22 25 27 35
DoublePlay
7 14 35 39 41
Millionaire for Life Logo Top Prizes $1 Million a year for life or $100,000 a year for life. Next Daily Drawing Fri, Sep 18 Latest Drawing Thu, Sep 17
7 28 30 31 58 3
Powerball Xs & Os Logo Jackpot Estimate $1 Million Next Drawing Sun, Sep 20 Latest Drawing Sun, Sep 13
CHI DAL GB KC PHI PIT SF TB
Pick 4 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Fri, Sep 18
0 1 4 6 6
Latest Evening Drawing Thu, Sep 17
5 2 6 6 2
Pick 3 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Fri, Sep 18
8 8 0 9
Latest Evening Drawing Thu, Sep 17
1 6 5 7
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