The 10 Biggest Lottery Jackpots in U.S. History
Lottery jackpots have reached staggering heights in recent years. Since 2016, both Powerball and Mega Millions have produced multiple billion-dollar prizes. Here are the 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history.
1. $2.04 Billion — Powerball (November 7, 2022)
The largest lottery jackpot ever was won by a single ticket purchased in Altadena, California. The winner chose the lump sum option, worth approximately $997.6 million before taxes.
2. $1.765 Billion — Powerball (October 11, 2023)
Won by a single ticket in California, this was the second-largest jackpot in history. The cash value was approximately $774.1 million.
3. $1.602 Billion — Mega Millions (August 8, 2023)
The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever was won by a ticket in Neptune, Florida. The lump sum was approximately $783.3 million.
Why Are Jackpots Getting Bigger?
Several factors drive larger jackpots:
- Expanded number pools make jackpots harder to win, causing more rollovers
- Higher ticket prices ($2 vs the original $1) increase the prize pool
- Cross-state participation with 45+ states selling tickets
- Media attention drives more ticket sales as jackpots grow
See the full list and prize details on our Jackpot Tracker page. Use our Tax Calculator to see how much you'd actually keep after taxes.