Powerball Winning Numbers for Feb. 11 Drawing as Jackpot Climbs to $126 Million

The Powerball jackpot continued its steady climb ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing, reaching an estimated $126 million with a cash option of $57.8 million. With excitement building nationwide, players across the U.S. prepared their tickets for the Feb. 11, 2026 draw scheduled for 11 p.m. ET.

Earlier this year, the game already delivered one life-changing win. On Jan. 21, a single ticket sold in North Carolina matched all six numbers to capture an estimated $209 million jackpot. The winner later chose the $95.3 million lump sum payout rather than annuity installments.

Under federal law, lottery winnings are subject to a mandatory 24% federal withholding on large prizes. That means approximately $22.8 million was withheld upfront from the $95.3 million lump sum, before any additional state or local taxes.

According to the North Carolina Education Lottery, winners of prizes exceeding $50 million in the state may remain anonymous for up to 90 days after claiming their winnings. The Jan. 21 winner exercised that option.

Top 10 Largest Powerball Jackpots in History

• $2.040 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 (California)
• $1.817 billion – Dec. 24, 2025 (Arkansas)
• $1.787 billion – Sept. 6, 2025 (Missouri and Texas)
• $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 (California)
• $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)
• $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 (Oregon)
• $1.080 billion – July 19, 2023 (California)
• $842.4 million – Jan. 1, 2024 (Michigan)
• $768.4 million – Mar. 27, 2019 (Wisconsin)
• $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017 (Massachusetts)

Do You Need to Be a U.S. Citizen to Play?

No. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or resident to purchase a Powerball ticket. Anyone physically present in one of the 45 participating states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may buy a ticket from an authorized retailer, provided they meet the legal age requirement, typically 18 years old.

How to Play Powerball

Each Powerball ticket costs $2 per play. Players select five white balls numbered 1 through 69 and one red Powerball numbered 1 through 26. Matching all five white balls in any order plus the red Powerball wins the jackpot.

For an additional $1, players can add the Power Play option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or even 10X depending on the drawn multiplier.

Those who prefer not to choose numbers manually can opt for a Quick Pick, allowing the system to randomly generate selections.

Drawings take place three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. If no ticket matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over and continues to grow.

Can You Buy Powerball Tickets Online?

In certain states, tickets can also be ordered through licensed digital lottery couriers such as Jackpocket. Availability varies by state and local regulations. Participants must meet age requirements, which are 18+ in most jurisdictions, 21+ in Arizona, and 19+ in Nebraska.

As anticipation builds for the Feb. 11 drawing, the $126 million prize stands as the latest opportunity for players hoping to join the ranks of Powerball’s biggest winners. If no one hits all six numbers, the jackpot will continue its upward climb heading into the next drawing.