Two Powerball players in southeastern Wisconsin came remarkably close to claiming one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history. While no ticket matched all six numbers in the Monday, August 3, 2026, Powerball drawing, two tickets sold just miles apart still produced life-changing prizes worth $2 million and $100,000.
The drawing carried an estimated jackpot of around $748–$754 million, with a cash option of approximately $325–$327.5 million. Since nobody claimed the grand prize, the jackpot has now surged to an estimated $786 million for the next drawing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026—making it the ninth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.
For Wisconsin lottery players, the drawing delivered another reminder that even without hitting the jackpot, matching the right numbers can still result in massive payouts.
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How two Wisconsin Powerball tickets turned into major winners
The biggest winner from Wisconsin came from Shorewood, where a ticket worth $2 million was sold at Spring East, LLC / BP Pantry 41, located at 1602 East Capitol Drive.
The ticket successfully matched all five white-ball numbers—8, 30, 41, 48, and 54—but missed the Powerball number of 4. Ordinarily, matching all five white balls wins $1 million, but the player had purchased the Power Play option. Because the Power Play multiplier for the drawing was 2X, the prize doubled to $2 million.
Another fortunate ticket was sold at the Walmart Supercenter, located at 4140 W. Greenfield Avenue in West Milwaukee.
That ticket matched four of the five white-ball numbers plus the Powerball (4). The standard prize for that combination is $50,000, but the 2X Power Play increased the payout to $100,000.
Neither winner has been publicly identified.
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Powerball Drawing Results at a Glance
| Category | Official Details |
| Draw Date | Monday, August 3, 2026 |
| Winning Numbers | 8, 30, 41, 48, 54 |
| Powerball | 4 |
| Power Play | 2X |
| Estimated Jackpot | $748–$754 million |
| Cash Option | Approximately $325–$327.5 million |
| Top Wisconsin Prize | $2 million |
| Second Wisconsin Prize | $100,000 |
| Next Jackpot | $786 million |
| Next Drawing | Wednesday, August 5, 2026 |
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How the winning story unfolded
The August 3, 2026, drawing ended without a jackpot winner despite millions of tickets being sold nationwide.
Soon afterward, Wisconsin Lottery officials confirmed that two tickets sold in southeastern Wisconsin had produced significant prizes.
The $2 million ticket from Shorewood became especially notable because it marked the third $2 million Powerball ticket sold in Wisconsin during 2026.
The previous two winners occurred on April 29, 2026, when identical $2 million Match 5 with Power Play tickets were sold at:
- Pick ’n Save in Milwaukee
- Brite Spot 2 in Hurley
With another rollover, the jackpot climbed to $786 million for the Wednesday, August 5 drawing.
The growing prize also marked the 41st consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner. For comparison, the current Powerball record jackpot run stands at 47 consecutive drawings, putting the current streak within striking distance of matching that milestone.
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What players should know about claiming the prizes
Both Wisconsin winners have time before stepping forward.
According to Wisconsin Lottery rules, winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prizes, and all winnings are subject to applicable taxes.
Retailers also benefit when they sell winning tickets. Any retailer that sells a winning ticket valued at more than $599 receives a 2% performance incentive, with payments capped at $100,000.
For players considering future drawings, Powerball tickets remain priced at $2 per play, while the optional Power Play feature costs an additional $1 and can significantly increase non-jackpot winnings, as demonstrated by both Wisconsin winners.
The odds remain challenging:
- Powerball jackpot odds: 1 in 292,201,338
- Odds of winning the standard $1 million Match 5 prize: 1 in 11,688,054
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. Central Time.
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Expert/Public reaction
Lottery officials highlighted the significance of the Wisconsin wins as another example of how the optional Power Play feature can dramatically increase non-jackpot prizes. The Shorewood winner doubled a $1 million Match 5 prize into $2 million, while the West Milwaukee player turned a $50,000 prize into $100,000 through the 2X Power Play.
No public statements have been released by either winner, and their identities have not been made public.
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What’s next?
Attention now shifts to the Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Powerball drawing, where the jackpot is estimated at $786 million, with a cash option of approximately $341.6 million.
If the jackpot is not won again, the current run of 41 consecutive drawings without a grand-prize winner will continue moving closer to the all-time Powerball record of 47.
For now, two Wisconsin players are already celebrating life-changing prizes, while millions of hopeful participants prepare for another chance at one of the largest jackpots in Powerball history.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on thoroughly researched and verified information from the following sources: Wisconsin Lottery official news release (August 4, 2026), WISN 12 News report (updated August 4, 2026), CBS 58 News report (August 4, 2026), and multiple national lottery result reports confirming the August 3, 2026, winning numbers (8-30-41-48-54, Powerball 4, Power Play 2X) and jackpot status.
Here are the primary source links:
- Official Wisconsin Lottery press release (most authoritative)
- WISN 12 News report
- CBS 58 News report
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