The UK will see the launch of Powerball on July 21, 2026, offering players a chance at jackpots that could exceed £2 billion. For the first time, the iconic US game will be available outside the United States, with tickets priced at £4 per line sold in National Lottery retailers and online.
Launch Details and Jackpot Potential
National Lottery operator Allwyn confirmed that, subject to final regulatory approval, the UK-specific version will officially launch on July 21. The opening draw is scheduled for July 23. The current US Powerball jackpot is estimated at $416 million, and if it continues to roll, UK players could compete for a massive prize in the first draw.
Powerball from The National Lottery offers uncapped jackpots starting at £12 million, which can grow into the hundreds of millions and even billions. The biggest-ever Powerball winner won over $2.04 billion in 2022. Over 34 years, Powerball has generated an estimated $38 billion for good causes in the US, including education and scholarships.
How UK Powerball Works
UK players will play alongside their US counterparts for a chance to win the shared jackpot, which will be paid out over 30 years to UK winners. To win the jackpot, players must match five main numbers plus the Powerball. The UK game features an extra 'Match 2 main numbers' prize tier, exclusive to UK players, offering a fixed prize of £8. The 'Match 5 main numbers' tier offers a fixed prize of £1 million, while other prize tiers offer estimated prizes that vary based on the balls drawn and number of winners.
Players pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or choose a Lucky Dip. Tickets can be bought in-store or online by 11:55 pm the night before draws, which occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Draws take place at around 4 am the next morning (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) from the Powerball studio in Florida.
Impact on UK Good Causes
The game is expected to raise around £1 billion for UK good causes over its first five years, with all funding from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects. Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler said, “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger, while supporting thousands of Good Cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breath-taking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.”
Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former President of the World Lottery Association, added, “This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball. More players means faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.”
Partnership and Regulation
Powerball is launching in the UK in partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a non-profit association owned and operated by its member lotteries. With 48 US-based lotteries already participating, Allwyn will run a tailored version for UK players. The UK game is subject to final regulatory approval before the official launch.
