Two lucky Powerball players in Illinois and North Carolina secured $1 million prizes each following the lottery drawing on Monday, September 28, 2026. The winning tickets were sold at local retail establishments in both states, matching all five white ball numbers drawn to claim the massive second-tier prizes.
In Illinois, a $1 million winning ticket was purchased at a Jewel-Osco grocery store located at 2401 N. U.S. Highway 12 in Spring Grove. The ticket successfully matched the winning combination of 17, 21, 29, 42, and 49, alongside the red Powerball number 7. Retailers that sell winning tickets of this magnitude often receive state-backed bonuses. The Spring Grove grocery store is slated to receive a $10,000 bonus for facilitating the sale. Lottery officials confirmed that the anonymous Illinois ticketholder has one full year from the official drawing date to come forward and claim their prize money.
Simultaneously, another player in North Carolina matched all five white balls in the same drawing to secure their own $1 million payday. While the grand jackpot continues to capture headlines across the country, these secondary wins highlight the chances players have to walk away with life-changing amounts by matching the initial white ball sequence.
How to Claim Powerball Prizes and Deadlines
Lottery officials across both jurisdictions urge participants to check their tickets thoroughly following every major drawing. Winners of prizes valued at $1 million should sign the back of their physical ticket immediately. They must store it in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box or a home safe, before starting the formal claim process.
In Illinois and North Carolina, winners generally have a 365-day window from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes. Failing to claim within this statutory window results in the unclaimed funds returning to the state’s educational or general lottery funds, depending on local state regulations.
Powerball Odds and Rules
The Powerball game is a popular multi-state lottery offering in the United States. It is played across 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Standard tickets cost $2 each. Optional multipliers, like the Power Play, are available in participating jurisdictions for an extra cost.
- Jackpot Odds: The overall odds of winning the grand jackpot are approximately 1 in 292.2 million.
- Match 5 Odds: The odds of winning a $1 million prize by matching all five white balls are significantly higher, standing at approximately 1 in 11.6 million.
- Draw Days: Official drawings take place three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
As excitement builds around ongoing roll cycles, players are reminded to play responsibly. They should also keep track of local retailer announcements for secondary wins that frequently occur alongside massive jackpot runs.
