Illinois Lottery Hosts Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge In Aurora Ahead Of $716 Million Jackpot Drawing

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More than 700 Free Powerball Tickets Up for Grabs This Wednesday

Photo caption: The Illinois Lottery held a Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge at Qik n EZ in Springfield on December 3, 2025.

CHICAGO, October 27, 2026 — The Powerball^® jackpot has soared to $716 million for Wednesday night’s drawing—the second largest Powerball jackpot of the year.

To celebrate the massive jackpot, the Illinois Lottery is giving players a chance to join in on the excitement with its popular Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge this Wednesday, October 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Amstar, located at 12 Hill Ave. in Aurora.

Participants will have a few thrilling seconds inside the Lottery’s fan-favorite Ticket Grab Machine to grab as many Powerball tickets as they can. More than 700 free Powerball tickets could be up for grabs throughout the event.

Can’t make it to the event? Illinois Lottery players can still get in on the excitement by purchasing a Powerball ticket at one of Illinois’ top 10 “winningest” lottery retailers or at any of the nearly 7,000 retail locations statewide. The top 10 retailers have sold more winning Powerball tickets so far this year than any other retailers in the state.

Every Illinois Lottery ticket helps support local communities. Approximately 40 cents of every dollar spent on Powerball tickets in Illinois goes toward supporting K-12 education and other good causes. Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $26 billion to education funding in Illinois.

Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Power Play for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

Powerball b-roll, available for use by the media, download here. 

As the Powerball jackpot continues to grow, the Illinois Lottery reminds players to play for fun, not funds. Be Smart, Play Smart^®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com. 

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About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.

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Be Smart, Play Smart® Must be 18 or older to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or texting “GAMBLER” to 833234. For additional info or to exclude yourself, call 1-800-252-1775. Message and data rates may apply. 

Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.

Be Smart, Play Smart® Must be 18 or older to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or texting “GAMBLER” to 833234. For additional info or to exclude yourself, call 1-800-252-1775. Message and data rates may apply. 

Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.

© Illinois Lottery 2026