UK Powerball launches with £300 million jackpot

The Powerball lottery, known for its record-breaking jackpots, has officially launched in the United Kingdom for the first time, offering players a chance to compete for a shared top prize currently estimated at £300 million. Tickets went on sale nationwide on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, ahead of the inaugural UK-inclusive draw scheduled for the early hours of Thursday, July 23.

The first physical ticket was sold shortly after 5 a.m. at Sewell On The Go in Pocklington, York, while the first online purchase was made via The National Lottery app by a player in Brighton at 5:54 a.m. Players have until 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday to enter the draw, which will take place around 4 a.m. UK time from the Powerball studio in Florida. Following the launch, draws will occur three times a week.

Operated by Allwyn, the UK version of the American game requires a £4 per line entry. UK players will compete for the same uncapped, rolling jackpots as their U.S. counterparts, with prizes starting at £12 million and capable of growing into the hundreds of millions or even billions, as seen in a 2022 U.S. win exceeding $2.04 billion. Jackpots are paid out over 30 years. The UK game features a unique "match...