A single winning ticket was sold for Powerball’s Christmas Eve jackpot of $1.817 billion — the second-largest U.S. lottery prize ever. The winner, who has not yet been publicly identified, bought the lucky ticket at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas.
The winning numbers for Wednesday night’s drawing were 4, 25, 31, 52, 59, with a Powerball of 19.
The grand prize had a lump sum cash value of $834.9 million. A rush of ticket sales pushed the final jackpot total even higher than previously expected.
The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA in the town of Cabot, lottery officials in Arkansas said Thursday. No one answered the phone Thursday at the location, which was closed for Christmas, The Associated Press reported.
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The Powerball jackpot had been won once before on Christmas Eve, in 2011, and four times on Christmas Day, the game says. Powerball started in 1992.
The last time a Powerball jackpot was hit was on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas, when two tickets split a $1.787 billion top prize. The nearly four-month stretch between jackpots — 47 drawings — was a record for the most in a Powerball jackpot cycle, the game says.
This is only the second time in the game’s history with back-to-back winning jackpots topping $1 billion, Powerball said.
The $1.817 billion prize is second only to the $2.04 billion jackpot won in 2022 by a single ticket sold in Altadena, California, which was the largest in both Powerball and lottery history.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five white balls and the red Powerball pulled during a drawing. Single winners of the top prize can choose between a lump sum payment or a payout via an annuity of one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each time. Both the lump sum and annuity total are before taxes.
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Other ticket-holders will also take home a tidy sum. Powerball says eight tickets in Tuesday night’s drawing matched all five white balls for a “Match 5” prize of $1 million (the prize total varies in California); 114 tickets won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets won $100,000.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, according to game officials. Lottery jackpots have exploded in size over the last decade, while the odds of winning have gotten slimmer.
Tickets cost $2 each and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. ET.
Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
