Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, May 16. Check your tickets
Is today your lucky day?
The Powerball lottery jackpot was estimated at $86 million for the Saturday, May 16 drawing with a cash option of $37.8 million, according to the Powerball website.
The jackpot was last won on May 2 when lottery players from Florida and Texas shared a $20 million jackpot. This comes after lottery players from Kansas and Indiana split a $143.4 million jackpot in the previous drawing.
Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot stands at $251 million with a cash option of $112.3 million, according to the Mega Millions website.
More: New Jersey lottery player finds crumpled $5.9 million winning ticket in closet just in time
What are the winning Powerball numbers for 05/16/26?
Come back here after 11 p.m. to find out the winning Powerball numbers for Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Looking for an advantage? What are the luckiest Powerball numbers? These balls are drawn most often
When will the next Powerball drawing take place?
Powerball drawings take place three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Monday drawings were added in 2021.
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Until what time can I buy Powerball tickets?
The deadline to purchase a Powerball ticket varies by state, so don’t wait until the last minute. The deadline in New Jersey is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, while the deadline in New York is 10 p.m.
Click here for a full list of Powerball ticket deadlines by state or jurisdiction.
Location, location, location: These are the states with the most Powerball jackpot winners
How to play Powerball?
The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Power Play for $1, which will increase your potential prize amount up to five times the original prize (except for Jackpot and Match 5). There is also a 10x Power Play possibility when the jackpot is less than $150 million.
Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a quick pick ticket with random numbers for you.
Prizes range from $4 for matching the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California) up to the jackpot for matching all six balls. You can view all prize payouts on the Powerball website here.
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Where is Powerball available?
You can play the game in 45 states, plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital messaging service of the USA TODAY Network, in the following U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your game and lottery numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings using your phone or home computer.
Winner: Texas Lottery Winner Takes Half of Near-Record $1.78 Billion Powerball Jackpot
How can I watch the Powerball drawing?
The Powerball drawing is broadcast live on the lottery website at 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can view the drawing by clicking here.
The drawing may also be broadcast on a local television station in your market.
More: What would you do if you won the Powerball lottery? Survey Responses Might Surprise You
What are my chances of winning?
Playing Powerball can be exciting, but don’t spend those millions before you win.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338 to 1.
The odds of finding all five white balls are 11,688,053 to 1.
Unlucky: Here are 13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Capital or annuity?
The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payment options: annuity and cash.
The annuity option pays out over time. There is one immediate payment, then 29 annual payments, increasing by 5% each year.
The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid out as a lump sum. You don’t need to wait decades to get all the money.
Can I win the jackpot and remain anonymous?
In some states, like New Jersey, you can win the lottery anonymously. That wasn’t always the case, but winners can now remain anonymous under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
In other states, the winner’s name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.
Top 10 biggest Powerball jackpots
Here are the Top 10 jackpots since the Powerball lottery began in 1992:
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$1.586 billion, January 13, 2016: three winners in California, Florida and Tennessee
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$758.7 million, August 23, 2017: won in Massachusetts
What was the largest American lottery jackpot ever recorded?
Here is an overview of the best jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries:
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$1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016: three winners in California, Florida and Tennessee
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$758.7 million, Powerball, August 23, 2017: won in Massachusetts
A gaming problem?
If you need help resolving a gambling problem, you can get help by calling 1800-GAMBLER or clicking on www.800gambler.org.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to the Jackpocket Services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
This article was originally published on NorthJersey.com: Powerball winning numbers draw for Saturday, May 16, 2026
