What Time Is the Powerball Drawing Tonight Full U.S. Time Zone Guide

What Time Is the Powerball Drawing Tonight? | Full U.S. Time Zone Guide

Your Full Guide to Timing, Ticket Cutoffs, and Watching Live

Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, known for its record-breaking jackpots and life-changing prizes. If you’ve purchased a ticket or are thinking about it, one of the most important questions you need answered is: “What time is the Powerball drawing tonight?”

In this complete guide, we’ll not only give you the exact drawing time but also explain how the timing works across different U.S. time zones, when you need to buy your ticket by, and how to watch the results live, so you never miss your chance at a fortune.

Powerball Drawing Time | The Basics

Powerball drawings are held three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. Each drawing takes place precisely at:

10:59 PM Eastern Time (ET)

This official time is set and maintained by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), and the drawing is conducted under strict security at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee.

Knowing this time is essential because:

  • You need to buy your ticket before the cut-off, which is typically 1–2 hours before the drawing.
  • You may want to watch the drawing live for the excitement and immediate results.

Powerball Drawing Time by U.S. Time Zones

Not everyone lives in the Eastern Time Zone, so here’s how the draw time converts across the U.S.:

Time Zone

Drawing Time

Eastern (ET)

10:59 PM

Central (CT)

9:59 PM

Mountain (MT)

8:59 PM

Pacific (PT)

7:59 PM

Alaska (AKST)

6:59 PM

Hawaii (HST)

4:59 PM

If you’re unsure which time zone you’re in, remember:

  • The East Coast (NY, FL, etc.) uses ET.
  • The Midwest (TX, IL, etc.) typically uses CT.
  • Mountain states (CO, AZ, etc.) use MT.
  • West Coast states (CA, WA, etc.) use PT.

Is There a Powerball Drawing Tonight?

To determine if tonight is a Powerball draw night, check the day of the week:

  • Monday: Drawing tonight
  • Wednesday: Drawing tonight
  • Saturday: Drawing tonight
  • Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: No Powerball drawing

So, if you’re reading this on a Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday, yes  the Powerball drawing is happening tonight at 10:59 PM ET.

Ticket Cutoff Times by State

It’s crucial to remember that you can’t buy a ticket until the last minute. Every state has its own cut-off time for sales, which is usually 1 to 2 hours before the draw.

Here are a few state examples:

State

Ticket Cutoff Time (Local)

New York (NY)

10:00 PM ET

California (CA)

7:00 PM PT

Texas (TX)

9:00 PM CT

Florida (FL)

10:00 PM ET

Illinois (IL)

8:59 PM CT

Arizona (AZ)

6:59 PM MT

Georgia (GA)

10:00 PM ET

Washington (WA)

6:45 PM PT

Tip: Always double-check your state’s lottery website or retailer signage to confirm the cutoff time.

If you buy your ticket after the deadline, it will be valid for the next drawing, not the one happening tonight.

How to Watch the Powerball Drawing Live

How to Watch the Powerball Drawing Live

You don’t need to wait for the morning news to find out if you won. There are several ways to watch the Powerball drawing live or check the results within minutes of the event:

Official Powerball Website (Powerball.com)

  • Powerball.com hosts the official stream and also posts results shortly after the drawing.
  • You’ll also find past results and prize breakdowns.

State Lottery Websites

  • Most state lotteries provide either a live stream, a recording, or a results feed for each drawing.

Television

  • Many local stations air the Powerball drawing live or with a short delay.
  • Check your local listings under “Lottery Drawing” or tune in around 10:59 PM ET (adjust for time zone).

YouTube

  • Powerball and many state lottery organizations post the drawing video on YouTube shortly after it airs.

Lottery Apps

  • Some apps like Jackpocket, Lotto.com, and state lottery apps push notifications with winning numbers moments after the drawing.

What Happens After the Drawing?

Once the drawing concludes, the winning numbers are published almost immediately:

  • On the Powerball official website
  • On state lottery websites
  • Through your lottery app (if subscribed to notifications)
  • On news sites and social media platforms

If no one wins the jackpot, it rolls over and the amount increases for the next draw.

What’s the Jackpot Tonight?

If you’re checking the draw time, you’re probably curious about tonight’s prize. Check this link for the current jackpot amount and upcoming schedule:
👉 When Is the Next Powerball Drawing?
👉 Did Anyone Win The Powerball Last Night?

 

FAQs:

Q: Is Powerball drawn every night?

A: No. Powerball is only drawn on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 PM ET.

Q: Can I buy a ticket 10 minutes before the drawing?

A: Not in most states. Ticket sales typically close at least 1 hour before the draw. Cutoff times vary by state.

Q: What happens if the drawing is delayed?

A: Drawings are almost always on time, but occasionally delays occur due to technical issues or high-volume security checks. If this happens, the results will be posted as soon as possible and your ticket remains valid.

Conclusion

To recap:

  • Powerball drawings happen at 10:59 PM Eastern Time on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights.
  • Make sure to purchase your ticket before your state’s cutoff time, which is usually 1–2 hours before the drawing.
  • Watch the drawing live on Powerball.com, your state lottery website, TV, or YouTube.
  • Always check your numbers shortly after the draw, you never know, tonight could be your lucky night!