You're holding a ticket, maybe it’s tucked in your sun visor or sitting on the kitchen counter, and you're wondering: what time lotto tonight? It's that classic pre-draw ritual. You want to know exactly when those balls start spinning so you can either celebrate or start planning for the next one.
Honestly, the answer depends entirely on what game you're playing and where you're standing. If you're chasing the massive multi-state jackpots like Powerball, the timing is pretty rigid. But if you're looking at local state games like a Pick 3 or a Cash 5, the clock moves a bit differently. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, which means it is a major night for Powerball players.
The Big One: Powerball Drawing Times
Since tonight is Saturday, Powerball is the headliner. The official Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you aren't on the East Coast, you’ve gotta do the math. For folks in the Midwest (Central Time), it’s 9:59 PM. In the Mountain region, it's 8:59 PM, and if you're out in California or Washington on Pacific Time, the draw happens at 7:59 PM.
👉 See also: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
Timing matters for more than just watching the live stream. You have to buy your tickets before the "draw break." Most states cut off ticket sales at least an hour before the drawing, usually around 10:00 PM ET, but some states like Florida or Pennsylvania might have slightly different cut-off windows. Don't wait until 10:55 PM. You'll likely find the terminal locked.
Where to Watch the Drawing
Most people don't wait for the local news anymore. You can catch the live drawing on the official Powerball website or their YouTube channel. Many state lottery apps, like the one from the Virginia Lottery or the New York Lottery, also offer a live feed or a quick replay.
State Lottery Schedules for Saturday Night
While Powerball is the titan of Saturdays, almost every state has its own local flavor. These games usually draw around the same time, but they can vary by a few minutes.
✨ Don't miss: Pink White Nail Studio Secrets and Why Your Manicure Isn't Lasting
- New York Lottery: Their flagship games usually sync up with the 10:59 PM ET slot, though Midday draws for Pick 3 and Pick 4 happened way back at 2:30 PM.
- Florida Lottery: Florida is a powerhouse for lotto. Their Saturday night "Lotto" game draws at 11:15 PM ET.
- California Lottery: Since they’re on the West Coast, the Powerball draw feels early at 7:59 PM PT. Their local SuperLotto Plus also draws on Saturdays around 7:41 PM PT.
- Texas Lottery: If you’re playing Lotto Texas, keep your eyes peeled around 10:12 PM CT.
What About Mega Millions?
If you were searching for what time lotto tonight specifically for Mega Millions, you're a day off. Mega Millions drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET. Since today is Saturday, there isn't a Mega Millions draw tonight.
However, if you bought a ticket on Friday, January 16, and haven't checked it yet, the winning numbers from last night were 2, 22, 33, 42, 67, and the Mega Ball was 1. No one hit the jackpot, so the prize is rolling over for the upcoming Tuesday draw.
The Difference Between "Draw Time" and "Result Time"
One thing that trips people up is the lag. The balls drop at 10:59 PM, but the official results often don't hit the website or the app until 11:15 PM or even midnight.
🔗 Read more: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
Why the delay? Every single ticket sold across 45 states (plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) has to be accounted for in the central system before the drawing can even start. If one state's computer system has a hiccup—which happens more often than you'd think—the whole drawing gets pushed back. We saw this famously a couple of years ago during a record jackpot when the draw was delayed by hours.
Practical Steps for Players Tonight
If you're planning to play, here is a quick checklist to make sure you aren't left out in the cold.
- Check the Cut-off: Look at your state's specific "sales stop" time. It’s usually 59 minutes before the draw.
- Sign the Back: If you bought a paper ticket, sign it immediately. A lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument," meaning whoever holds it, owns it.
- Use the App: Download your state's official lottery app. It's much more reliable for scanning tickets than trying to squint at a grainy TV screen.
- Double-Check the Date: Ensure your ticket is actually for the January 17 draw. If you accidentally bought a "Multi-Draw," you might be looking at results for a different day.
The Powerball jackpot is currently sitting at a cool $156 million. It’s not a record-breaker, but it’s definitely "retire tomorrow" money. Get your tickets before 10:00 PM ET and keep an eye on the clock for that 10:59 PM ET drawing.
To stay updated, you should check the official Powerball website immediately after 11:00 PM ET or use a third-party result aggregator like USA Mega for a quick breakdown of the prize tiers and winners. Regardless of the outcome, always play responsibly and remember that the odds are roughly 1 in 292 million—so maybe keep the day job for at least one more Monday.