Mega Millions vs Powerball: Which Should You Play?

Both Mega Millions and Powerball offer life-changing jackpots, but there are key differences between the two games. Number Selection - Powerball: 5 numbers from 1-69, plus 1 Powerball from 1-26 - Mega Millions: 5 numbers from 1-70, plus 1 Mega Ball from 1-25 Jackpot Odds - Powerball: 1 in 292,201,338 - Mega Millions: 1 in 302,575,350 Powerball has slightly better jackpot odds, but the difference is minimal. Drawing Schedule - Powerball: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday - Mega Millions: Tuesday, Friday Ticket Price Both games cost $2 per play, with optional multipliers for an extra $1. Historical Jackpots The largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion (November 2022). The largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.537 billion (October 2018). Our Recommendation Play whichever has the higher jackpot relative to the odds, or simply play both. Remember: play responsibly and within your budget.