You’re standing at the gas station counter. The line is three people deep, and the fluorescent lights are humming that annoying high-pitched tune. You want a ticket. Specifically, you want the ticket that might let you quit your job tomorrow and buy a private island—or at least pay off the car. But then the panic hits. Did the drawing already happen? Is it tonight?
Honestly, it’s easy to get them mixed up. Between the two biggest games in the country, there are five different nights a week where someone, somewhere, is becoming a multimillionaire. If you’re asking what day is powerball and mega millions, you aren't just looking for a calendar date; you're looking for the window of opportunity before the terminal shuts you out.
The Short Answer: When to Have Your Tickets Ready
If you just want the quick cheat sheet, here it is. Mega Millions draws on Tuesdays and Fridays. Powerball draws on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Basically, Sunday and Thursday are your only "off" nights.
But there’s a catch. Just because the drawing is at 10:59 p.m. ET doesn't mean you can buy a ticket at 10:58 p.m. Most states cut off sales at least an hour or two before the balls start dropping. If you walk in late, you're playing for the next jackpot, not the one that’s currently making headlines.
What Day Is Powerball and Mega Millions? The Weekly Breakdown
Let's look at how this actually flows through your week. It's a rhythm.
Monday: The Powerball Expansion
A few years back, Monday was a quiet night. Not anymore. Powerball added Monday drawings in 2021 to help jackpots grow faster. So, your work week starts with a $2 chance to change everything.
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Tuesday: Mega Millions Kickoff
The first Mega Millions drawing of the week happens Tuesday night. It’s usually broadcast from the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta. If no one wins on Tuesday, the hype starts building for Friday.
Wednesday: Hump Day Powerball
Wednesday is the classic Powerball night. It feels traditional. If you missed the Monday draw, this is your mid-week "reset."
Friday: The Big Mega Millions Finale
Friday night is arguably the most popular night for lottery tickets. People are off work, they’ve got a few bucks in their pocket, and the Mega Millions jackpot is usually looking pretty juicy by the time the weekend hits.
Saturday: The Weekend Powerball
Saturday night is the big one for Powerball. This is when you see the longest lines at the convenience store. It’s the final draw of the week for either game.
Timing Is Everything: Don't Get Locked Out
It’s not just about the day; it’s about the clock. Most drawings happen around 11:00 p.m. ET (10:59 p.m. for Powerball, specifically).
If you live in California, that’s 8:00 p.m. local time. If you’re in Chicago, it’s 10:00 p.m.
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Every state has its own "cutoff" time. For instance, in Florida and Pennsylvania, sales usually stop at 10:00 p.m. ET on drawing nights. If you’re using an app like Jackpot.com or a state-sanctioned site, they might have even earlier cutoffs to process the orders. Kinda frustrating, but that’s the system.
The "Double Play" Factor
You might see "Double Play" on your play slip and wonder if that changes the schedule. It doesn't.
Double Play is an extra dollar you can tack on to your ticket. It uses your same numbers in a separate drawing that happens shortly after the main one. For Powerball, this happens on the same Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday schedule. It’s just another way to win up to $10 million even if you whiff on the main jackpot.
Where the Drawings Actually Happen
Mega Millions is an Atlanta staple. It’s held at the WSB-TV studios.
Powerball, on the other hand, is usually drawn at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee. Sometimes they do special events elsewhere, but Tallahassee is the "home" court.
You can watch these live on YouTube or through various local news affiliates, but let’s be real—most of us just check the app five minutes after the numbers are posted.
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Why the Schedule Matters for Your Odds
Does it matter which day you play? Technically, no. The odds of hitting the jackpot are roughly 1 in 292 million for Powerball and 1 in 302 million for Mega Millions.
However, some people prefer the Monday or Tuesday draws because the "player pool" is often smaller. While this doesn't change your odds of winning, it significantly lowers the odds of having to share the jackpot with ten other people. A solo win on a $200 million jackpot is a lot better than splitting it three ways.
Can You Buy Tickets Online on These Days?
Yes, but it depends on your zip code.
States like Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania allow you to buy directly through their official lottery apps. Other states use courier services. If you’re buying on a drawing day, do it early.
There have been plenty of horror stories of people trying to log in at 9:55 p.m. only for the app to crash because of high traffic. Don't be that person.
Actionable Tips for This Week’s Drawings
- Set a Recurring Alarm: If you're a regular player, set a phone alert for 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. That gives you plenty of time to get a ticket before the cutoff.
- Check the Multiplier: Both games offer a multiplier (Power Play or Megaplier). If the jackpot is "low" (like under $100 million), the multiplier is often the only way to make the non-jackpot prizes really worth the effort.
- Sign Your Ticket: The second you get that physical slip, sign the back. If you lose a winning ticket on a Saturday night and it’s not signed, anyone who finds it can claim it.
- Verify the Time Zone: If you're traveling, remember that the drawing time stays fixed on Eastern Time. If you're in Vegas, your "night of" deadline is much earlier in the evening than you might think.
Instead of waiting for the billion-dollar fever to strike, keep a small budget for the regular draws. The lines are shorter, the stress is lower, and the math remains exactly the same. Go grab your numbers for the next Tuesday or Wednesday draw and just see what happens.