Powerball Ticket Sold at Quincy Hy-Vee Gas Station Claims $1 Billion Jackpot

The Wednesday night Powerball drawing produced a $1 billion advertised annuity jackpot won by a single ticket purchased at a Hy-Vee gas station in Quincy, Illinois, and this outcome ended a three-month stretch without a top prize winner while marking the eighth-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The numbers drawn were 4-26-66-67-69 with Powerball 9, and officials confirmed the ticket as the sole match for the entire prize pool.

Details of the Winning Numbers and Ticket Location

Players across participating states checked their tickets after the draw, yet only one matched all six numbers required for the jackpot, and that ticket originated from the Hy-Vee gas station in Quincy, Illinois, according to lottery records released shortly after the event. The specific sequence 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 plus the Powerball 9 created a combination that had not appeared in any prior winning ticket during the recent dry spell, which stretched back three full months without a major payout.

State lottery representatives verified the purchase point and the ticket's validity through standard claim procedures, and the winner now holds the option to receive either the full $1 billion annuity distributed over 29 years or the lump-sum cash value listed at approximately $450.5 million before taxes. Both figures reflect the advertised amounts tied directly to this drawing, and the cash option represents the one-time payment available immediately upon validation.

Prize Structure and Payment Options

Lottery officials calculate the annuity as a series of graduated payments that total $1 billion across nearly three decades, while the cash value stands at roughly $450.5 million before any federal or state tax withholdings apply. Winners who select the annuity receive the first payment shortly after the claim and then annual installments that increase over time, whereas the lump sum delivers the discounted present value in a single transfer.

Tax implications remain separate from the advertised amounts, and the final net total depends on the winner's filing status along with applicable Illinois and federal rates at the time of the claim. The sole-winner status means the entire prize stays with one ticket holder rather than splitting among multiple claimants, which occurs when more than one ticket matches the full set of numbers.

Historical Ranking Among Past Powerball Jackpots

This $1 billion annuity places eighth on the list of largest Powerball jackpots ever recorded, and the ranking follows a sequence of prior mega prizes that exceeded it in advertised value. The three-month absence of a top winner contributed to the jackpot's growth through successive rollovers, each adding to the pool until the Wednesday drawing produced the sole match in Quincy.

Powerball draws occur three times weekly, and the recent drought meant multiple drawings passed without a jackpot claim, which in turn boosted the next advertised amount until it reached the $1 billion mark. Data from the Multi-State Lottery Association shows how such extended periods without winners drive the prize higher through accumulated ticket sales across all participating jurisdictions.

Verification Process and Next Steps for the Winner

After the draw, lottery personnel conducted standard security checks on the winning ticket, and the Hy-Vee location received public acknowledgment as the point of sale without revealing the purchaser's identity. Claimants typically have a set window to come forward, and the process includes signing legal documents plus choosing between the annuity schedule or the cash option before any funds transfer.

Illinois lottery rules require winners to complete validation within a defined period, and once confirmed the ticket holder gains access to financial advisors who outline the tax consequences tied to either payment structure. The sole-winner designation simplifies distribution since no division of the prize occurs among additional parties.

Conclusion

The Quincy Hy-Vee gas station ticket stands as the only match for the August 2026 Powerball numbers 4-26-66-67-69 with Powerball 9, securing the $1 billion annuity or the $450.5 million cash alternative after three months without a jackpot. This outcome ranks the prize eighth in Powerball history and concludes the recent rollover sequence with a single claimant. Lottery records confirm all details of the sale and draw, leaving the verified winner to decide on payment terms and complete the required claim steps.