The Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with drawings held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening. For many lottery players, watching the Powerball drawing live is an exciting part of the experience. Here are some key tips to follow so you can tune in and watch the Powerball drawing live tonight:
What time is the Powerball drawing?
The Powerball drawing is held at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Make sure to check your local listings, as the broadcast time may vary by station. Many stations air the drawing live during their evening newscasts around 11:00 p.m. local time.
How to watch on TV
The Powerball drawing is televised across the country on local TV stations. Simply tune in to your local CBS, ABC, NBC or FOX affiliate around 10:59 p.m. in your time zone. The drawing will usually air during the evening news broadcast. Check your TV guide or online listings for the exact channel and time in your area.
Some examples of stations that air the live Powerball drawing include:
- New York: WABC in New York City
- Los Angeles: KABC in Los Angeles
- Chicago: WLS in Chicago
- Philadelphia: WPVI in Philadelphia
- Dallas-Fort Worth: WFAA in Dallas
Live streaming options
If you don’t have access to broadcast TV, there are several places you can stream the Powerball drawing live online:
- Powerball website: www.powerball.com will live stream the drawing
- YouTube: Search “Powerball drawing” on YouTube around 11pm ET
- Participating local station websites: Many stations stream the drawing live on their websites
- News apps: Download your local station’s app to watch the live drawing
Some popular stations that stream the drawing include New York’s WABC and Los Angeles’ KABC. Check your local station’s website ahead of time to confirm their streaming options.
Getting Prepared to Watch
Here are some tips to ensure you don’t miss the live Powerball drawing tonight:
Check the jackpot
The size of the advertised jackpot will generate more interest in the drawing. Right now, the Powerball jackpot is $XX million. When the jackpot is especially large, more people tend to tune in and watch live.
Buy your Powerball tickets
You’ll want to purchase your Powerball tickets well in advance of the drawing, as ticket sales cut-off times vary by state. Deadlines are usually 1-2 hours before the drawing, so make sure you’ve bought your tickets with enough time to then tune in and watch live.
Set a reminder
As the drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. ET, it’s easy to forget to tune in or get distracted. Set yourself a reminder 15 minutes before the drawing so you don’t miss out. You can set a calendar reminder, alarm clock, or even a voice assistant notification to remember.
| State | Ticket Cut-off Time |
|---|---|
| California | 7:45 p.m. PT |
| Texas | 9:00 p.m. CT |
| New York | 10:45 p.m. ET |
| Florida | 10:00 p.m. ET |
Have your ticket handy
Make sure you have purchased tickets and have them on hand so you can cross-reference the winning numbers once the drawing takes place. Having your personal ticket makes watching live much more engaging.
Understand the Powerball drawing process
Knowing how the drawing works will help you follow along and understand what’s happening:
- 5 white balls are drawn from a drum with 69 balls
- 1 red Powerball is drawn from a separate drum with 26 balls
- To win the jackpot you need to match all 5 white balls + the red Powerball
Where Does the Powerball Drawing Take Place?
Ever wondered where the Powerball drawing actually takes place each evening? The live drawings are held at the Florida Lottery’s studios in Tallahassee, Florida. Here are some key details:
- Drawings held at 10:59 p.m. ET at the Florida Lottery studio
- The drawing studio is secured with law enforcement officers and security cameras
- Drawings are conducted using sophisticated ball drawing equipment and lottery drawing machines certified by independent testing labs
- The drawing process is conducted under the supervision of lottery security officials and independent auditors
So while you’re watching from home, know that the live Powerball drawings are happening in a very secure, state-of-the-art studio!
Powerball Drawing Studio Location
| Address | Florida Lottery Headquarters 250 Marriott Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301 |
|---|
Reasons Florida Hosts the Powerball Drawing
Florida was chosen as the host state for the following reasons:
- Central location in the coverage area of the participating lotteries
- Lottery department has a state-of-the-art drawing studio
- Strong security measures and protocols
- Longstanding history of hosting major lottery drawings
Florida has proven to be a reliable host for Powerball over the years, providing fair and secure drawing procedures.
Common Ways to Watch the Live Drawing
While there are many ways to tune in, here are some of the most popular ways people follow the action:
Watching on TV
Gathering around the TV to watch the Powerball drawing live is a tradition for many. Watching on your big screen TV at home brings some extra excitement. Flip the channel to your local station carrying the drawing a few minutes before 11:00 p.m. ET.
Live stream on your phone/tablet
Can’t access the TV? Most stations provide a live stream of the drawing on their website and news apps. powerball.com also live streams the drawing. Watch on your smartphone or tablet no matter where you are.
Watch at a lottery retailer
Some lottery retailers broadcast the drawing live in their stores. It can be fun to watch in a store with other enthusiastic lottery players. Some retailers even hold Powerball parties for the drawings.
Tune in on the radio
Many radio stations provide live audio coverage of the Powerball drawing. So listening live on the radio is an option if you can’t watch visually.
Follow online updates
If you can’t watch live, most lottery websites will post the winning numbers online shortly after the drawing. You can check the numbers immediately after 11:00 p.m.
Key Details to Listen for During the Drawing
When watching the Powerball drawing live, listen closely for these important details:
Announcement of jackpot amount
The host will announce the current estimated jackpot up for grabs, reminding viewers of the big prize on the line.
Presentation of the lottery machines
They will show footage of the lottery ball machines used in the drawing, reminding viewers it is conducted under strict security.
Confirmation of balls loaded
The co-host will confirm verbally that all 69 white balls are loaded into the main drum and all 26 red Powerballs are loaded into the second drum.
Introduction of the auditors
Independent auditors oversee the drawing, often local CPAs. The auditors are introduced before the drawing begins.
Reading back the winning numbers
After all numbers are drawn, the winning numbers are read back one by one in the official order. Listen closely to make sure your numbers match!
What Happens if There’s a Mistake During the Live Drawing?
With so much on the line, what happens if there is an error during the Powerball drawing? There are procedures in place:
- If a ball is drawn out of sequence, the drawing will be halted and re-started
- If a ball is drawn but stuck, they will recreate that portion of the drawing
- If the equipment malfunctions, technicians will resolve the issue and re-start
- If an irreparable issue occurs, the drawing will be postponed to the following day
Mistakes are extremely rare thanks to extensive testing and security protocols. But if an error occurs, lottery officials follow best practices to ensure a fair drawing for all.
Notable Past Powerball Drawing Errors
| Date | Drawing Issue |
|---|---|
| 10/9/2018 | Ball removed out of sequence; drawing re-done |
| 5/18/2019 | Ball stuck; impacted part of drawing re-done |
| 7/21/2021 | Machine malfunction; postponed to next day |
As you can see, issues are quickly identified and rectified following lottery protocols. The oversight ensures fair results.
Winning Experiences from Watching Live
While there’s no guarantee, here are some big winners who were watching the drawing live:
Mavis Wanczyk – $758 Million
In 2017, Mavis matched all numbers while watching the drawing from her home in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Little did she know a life-changing $758 million jackpot awaited.
Tayeb Souami – $533 Million
Souami discovered he won half of a $533 million jackpot after checking his numbers from a gas station in New Jersey. He was an avid viewer of the drawings.
Raymond Buxton – $425 Million
Buxton had purchased his ticket at a convenience store in Milpitas, California. He watched the February 2014 drawing live and celebrated his huge win.
While winning is a long shot, tuning in live has proven lucky for various major jackpot winners over the years!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about watching the Powerball drawing live:
How can I find my local station airing the drawing?
Check your local listings or go to powerball.com and enter your zip code to find your local station. The major network affiliates (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX) will broadcast the live drawing in most markets.
What happens if the Powerball jackpot winner is from a state that does not participate in Powerball?
If a jackpot winner is from a state that does not sell Powerball tickets, they can purchase their ticket from any participating state. For example, Alabama does not currently participate in Powerball but residents can cross state lines to purchase tickets if desired. Winners from non-participating states must claim their prize in the state where they bought the ticket.
Can you watch the drawing at a lottery retailer location?
Some lottery retailers do broadcast the drawing live, especially larger supermarket locations where lottery tickets are sold. However, this varies by retailer so you will want to check with your local stores. Many retailers can not broadcast due to business hours or TV access constraints. Your best option is watching from home.
How quickly are the winning numbers made available after the drawing?
Within minutes of the drawing concluding, the winning numbers are posted to the Powerball website. They are also displayed in participating lottery retailer locations. So you do not have to wait long to check your numbers after the drawing finishes airing live.
Can you find out if you won without watching the live drawing?
Absolutely. While watching live is exciting, it is not required. You can check your numbers after the drawing takes place on the Powerball website, app, local TV news, at retailers, or in the next day’s newspaper. The winning numbers are made publicly available through many channels.
Conclusion
Watching the Powerball drawing live can be an exhilarating experience, especially on nights when the jackpot is massive. With multiple viewing options available on TV, online and on mobile, it’s easy to tune in. Just purchase your tickets early, find your local broadcaster, and remember to check your numbers after the drawing to see if you’re the newest Powerball millionaire! Good luck!
