Countdown Starts! What Time Is the Powerball Drawing Tonight for $1.8 Billion Jackpot?

The countdown is on. The Powerball drawing for a record $1.8 billion jackpot will be held tonight, Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Millions of players are waiting to see if their numbers can change their lives forever. The drawing will air live and also stream on the official Powerball website.

Ticket sales end before the drawing. Cutoff times vary by state. Most sales close one to two hours before the numbers are drawn. That means players have only hours left to secure a chance at one of the biggest lottery prizes in history.

What Time Is the Powerball Drawing and How It Works

The official drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. That is 9:59 p.m. CT, 8:59 p.m. MT, and 7:59 p.m. PT. The event is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association and broadcast nationwide. According to Associated Press, the $1.8 billion jackpot is the second-largest in lottery history.

Each ticket costs $2. Players select five numbers between 1 and 69 plus one Powerball number between 1 and 26. To win the jackpot, all six numbers must match. The odds are steep, about 1 in 292.2 million. Still, millions of Americans buy tickets for the chance to dream.

Winners can choose a lump-sum payment of $826.4 million before taxes or an annuity payout spread across 30 years. Most past winners take the lump sum. Taxes are also high. A 24% federal withholding applies at once, and the top federal tax rate of 37% may reduce winnings further. Some states add their own tax.

Ticket Cutoff Times and What Players Need to Know

Each state has its own rules for when ticket sales close. In many East Coast states, sales end at 10 p.m. ET. On the West Coast, sales may close much earlier, around 6:45 p.m. PT. That means players in California, Oregon, or Washington cannot wait until the last minute.

Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some states also allow online ticket sales. Stores selling tickets include gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience shops.

Experts stress the lottery should be treated as entertainment, not an investment. Buying a ticket is fun for many, but the odds remain against winning. According to Reuters, Americans spend billions on lottery tickets every year, and most never see a return.

The Bigger Picture and Why People Still Play

The Powerball jackpot has reached this size because no one has matched all numbers in recent drawings. Each rollover increases the total prize, and public interest grows as the jackpot rises. This cycle creates national buzz, turning the drawing into an event followed by millions.

Even though the odds are slim, many people see the $2 ticket as a small price for a big dream. Economists note that jackpots of this scale create “lottery fever” across the country. Families, coworkers, and friends pool money for group tickets. Some see it as a social event as much as a gamble.

Tonight’s drawing will decide if a new billionaire emerges. The Powerball drawing time is 10:59 p.m. ET, and the world will be watching.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time is the Powerball drawing tonight?

The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 6. It will air live on TV and online.

Q2: When do ticket sales stop?

Ticket sales usually stop one to two hours before the drawing. Deadlines vary by state, so players must check local rules.

Q3: How much is the Powerball jackpot?

Tonight’s jackpot is $1.8 billion. The cash option is $826.4 million before taxes.

Q4: What are the odds of winning Powerball?

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. Smaller prizes are easier but still difficult to win.

Q5: Where can you buy Powerball tickets?

Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some states allow online purchases.