Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, offering massive jackpot prizes that can grow into the hundreds of millions of dollars. With powerful odds and exciting drawings, many lottery players are curious just how many Powerball tickets they can purchase at one time. The quick answer is that there is no limit set by the Multi-State Lottery Association on how many Powerball draws you can buy tickets for at once. Lottery retailers can print tickets for future draws in advance, allowing you to stock up on tickets for multiple upcoming Powerball drawings if you wish.
Powerball Game Overview
First, let’s provide a quick overview of how the Powerball game works for context. Powerball is a multi-state lottery game operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, with drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday evening. To play, you first select five main numbers between 1 and 69, and then one additional Powerball number between 1 and 26. There are 9 ways to win prizes, ranging from $4 for matching just the Powerball up to the jackpot for matching all 5 main numbers and the Powerball.
Powerball has grown into one of the biggest lottery games in the world thanks to a few key factors:
- Huge jackpots – Powerballs jackpots begin at $40 million and grow until someone wins it. Jackpots frequently climb into the hundreds of millions.
- Good odds – While still difficult to win, the odds of 1 in 292 million are better than games like Mega Millions.
- Excitement – The drawings are televised across the country, adding to the thrill on draw nights.
With the chance for such enormous prizes, it’s no wonder Powerball attracts so many players looking to try their luck. This leads many to wonder just how many Powerball tickets they can purchase at one time for upcoming draws.
No Limits on Advance Powerball Purchases
The Multi-State Lottery Association has not placed any limits on how many drawings players can purchase Powerball tickets for in advance. Lottery retailers have the capability to print tickets for future Powerball draws, as far out as they have drawer stock for. Most lottery terminals can print tickets for up to 26 consecutive Powerball draws in one purchase transaction.
So if you wanted to, you could walk into any lottery retailer and purchase Powerball tickets for the next half year of drawings! Of course, very few players go to this extreme. But it does provide flexibility if you want to stock up on tickets for a few upcoming draws, rather than returning to the store for each drawing.
Benefits of Advance Purchase
There are a few potential benefits to purchasing Powerball tickets for multiple future draws at once:
- Convenience – Make one trip instead of multiple trips to buy tickets.
- Lock in sequenced numbers – Ensure you get the exact same numbers for each draw.
- Jackpot chasing – Buy tickets for consecutive drawings when the jackpot is big.
- Set and forget – Don’t have to remember to buy for every draw.
Of course, there are some downsides as well. Buying months of Powerball tickets at once can be an expensive endeavor. And some players prefer picking new numbers or using quick pick for every draw. But for frequent players, advance purchase can be appealing.
Upfront Payment Required
One important point is that lottery retailers do require upfront payment when purchasing Powerball tickets for future drawings. Tickets can not be reserved without payment. So if you want to buy Powerball tickets for the next 10 drawings, you need to pay the full balance at the time of purchase.
Powerball tickets are $2 per play, or $3 if you add the Power Play multiplier. So 10 Powerball plays with Power Play would cost $30 upfront. The lottery terminal will print the ticket with all the selected drawings and dates printed on it.
Consider a Powerball Subscription
If you want to play Powerball for consecutive draws without having to pay hundreds of dollars upfront, consider a Powerball subscription. Many states allow you to start a subscription so that your tickets are automatically purchased and entered into every drawing.
With a subscription, you pay for the tickets on a drawing-by-drawing basis, either through a prepaid account, debiting a card on file, or automatic withdrawal from your bank. Subscriptions can be canceled at any time if you no longer want consecutive tickets.
How Many Consecutive Powerball Tickets Can You Buy?
Let’s take a look at some examples of how many back-to-back Powerball tickets can be purchased. Here is an estimate of the upfront costs to play Powerball for a consecutive number of draws:
| Number of Draws | Cost Per Play | Total Upfront Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 draws | $2 | $10 |
| 10 draws | $2 | $20 |
| 20 draws | $2 | $40 |
| 26 draws (6 months) | $2 | $52 |
| 52 draws (1 year) | $2 | $104 |
As you can see, even playing for a full year in advance will only run you $104 upfront. Of course, most players don’t purchase quite that many consecutive draws. But it illustrates how flexible Powerball is for buying tickets for multiple upcoming games at once.
Pay Attention to Expiration Dates
One thing to pay attention to is the expiration date printed on the Powerball ticket. Tickets are valid for up to 1 year from the date of purchase. So if you purchase tickets far in advance, be sure they do not expire before the drawings you bought them for.
Expired tickets can no longer be redeemed for prizes. So you would not want to mistakenly buy tickets today for draws 1 year from now, since they would expire before being able to be used.
Should You Buy Tickets For Multiple Draws?
Whether or not you should stock up on Powerball tickets boils down to personal preference and your lottery budget. There are valid arguments on both sides of the debate.
Reasons you may want to purchase tickets for multiple upcoming Powerball drawings include:
- Lock in your favorite numbers for future games
- Guarantee participation if jackpots rise
- Avoid forgetting to buy tickets
- Reduce trips to the lottery retailer
On the other hand, some reasons why purchasing tickets in advance may not be optimal:
- Upfront cost can be prohibitive
- Harder to stay within your gambling budget
- Miss out on the excitement of buying before each draw
- Can’t change your numbers or use quick pick
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences as a player. Buying consecutive Powerball tickets is certainly an option to consider if it fits your lottery play style. But don’t feel compelled to play for drawings far in advance if a shorter timeframe better suits your needs.
Can You Buy Tickets For Past Drawings?
While you can purchase Powerball tickets for any number of future drawings, it is not possible to buy tickets for past drawings. All ticket sales close approximately 1 hour prior to the scheduled drawing time. So you cannot purchase tickets for a drawing that has already taken place.
Some key points about cutoff times for Powerball ticket purchases:
- Ticket sales close at 9:59 p.m. EST on draw nights
- No tickets can be purchased after the cutoff
- Retailers cannot allow ticket purchases post cutoff time
- Any attempt to play will be invalid for that drawing
The ticket sale cutoff deadline is strictly enforced by all participating lotteries. So while you can buy tickets for unlimited future draws, past drawings are permanently closed to entry.
Can You Return Unused Powerball Tickets?
For lottery tickets purchased in advance, some players may wonder if they can get a refund on unused tickets. Unfortunately, lottery officials do not allow returned tickets for a refund.
Once a Powerball ticket has been printed by the lottery terminal, it can not be canceled or returned. All ticket sales are final. So any purchased tickets are only valid for the drawing dates printed on them.
If you choose not to use the ticket, you forfeit the play. Unused tickets can not be returned for a refund. This is lottery policy across all participating states.
You Can Sell or Gift Unused Tickets
While Powerball tickets can’t be directly returned, there are a couple options if you have unused tickets you no longer want:
- Sell them – You may be able to sell unused tickets to other players for the original purchase price.
- Gift them – You can gift extra tickets to friends or family if dates work for them.
Reselling or gifting tickets must be done legally and follow all state laws. But unused lottery tickets do maintain their full value to other players. Just be aware you won’t get a direct refund from the lottery commission.
Tracking Numbers For Future Draws
When you purchase Powerball tickets for multiple upcoming draws, the ticket will display the date and details for each. However, the tickets won’t contain results or tracking numbers until after each drawing occurs.
Results are printed on the tickets only after the drawings. Prior to the draw, you will just see the draw date and ticket details. Players can match their tickets after the results are finalized to check for any winners.
You can also find draw results posted online shortly after they take place. This allows you to track outcomes on your advance play tickets.
Set Reminders For Future Draws
To make managing numerous Powerball tickets easier, consider setting reminders for yourself as the draws approach:
- Mark the dates on your calendar
- Set notifications on your phone
- Leave yourself notes about upcoming plays
This can help ensure you remember to check results and redeem any winning tickets. Having a system will make it simpler to keep track of tickets you have for many upcoming Powerball draws.
Where To Buy Powerball Tickets
Powerball tickets can be purchased at thousands of authorized lottery retailers across participating states. This includes convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and more. You can generally find Powerball tickets at any location that sells lottery games.
When purchasing tickets for multiple upcoming Powerball draws, here are some tips for the buying process:
- Ask the clerk for assistance buying tickets for future draws
- Specify the number of consecutive draws you want to play
- Pay at the counter – don’t use lottery vending machines
- Double check ticket dates before leaving the store
As long as the lottery terminal is online and has drawer stock, retailers can print tickets for any number of future draws. The process is quick and easy at any authorized lottery sales point.
Play Responsibly
When buying numerous lottery tickets at once, remember to always play responsibly. Only spend within your budget and set sensible limits. Never chase losses. If gambling stops being fun, consider taking a break.
Knowing the policies around Powerball ticket sales can help you plan your lottery purchases. While you can buy tickets for unlimited upcoming draws, exercise discretion and have a strategy in place before spending large amounts upfront.
Powerball Ticket Purchase FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about purchasing Powerball tickets:
Can I buy Powerball tickets online?
Most states require you to purchase Powerball tickets in person from authorized retailers. However, a small number of lottery states do offer online sales or subscription services. Check with your state lottery for online ticket availability.
What days are the Powerball drawings?
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m. EST.
When is the cutoff time for buying Powerball tickets?
You must purchase Powerball tickets by 9:59 p.m. EST on the night of the drawing to be eligible.
How many Powerball numbers do I need to match to win?
Match just the red Powerball to win $4. Match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball to win the jackpot.
Can I get a refund on unused Powerball tickets?
Unfortunately, lottery policies prohibit refunds on purchased tickets. Once sold, tickets can’t be canceled or returned.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to Powerball, you have the flexibility to buy tickets for as many upcoming draws as you want. While there are no rules limiting the number of consecutive Powerball plays you can purchase, exercise discretion with how far in advance you buy tickets.
Consider your lottery budget, the logistics of tracking numerous tickets, and whether you will use subscriptions or advance plays most responsibly. With Powerball’s huge jackpots, the excitement is enticing. Just be sure to play within your means.
