Lottery drawing times
When Powerball and Mega Millions are drawn, and when ticket sales close where you are.
When the drawing is held
-
Powerball
Drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59pm Eastern.
-
Mega Millions
Drawn Tuesday and Friday at 11:00pm Eastern.
When ticket sales close, by state
Sales stop before the drawing, and the time is set per game and per state. It is not the drawing time, and it is not the time one state over.
| State | Powerball | Mega Millions |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7:00 PM Pacific timeCalifornia states this as when draw entry closes. | 7:45 PM Pacific timeNo sales or validations between 7:45pm and 7:50pm. |
| Florida | 10:00 PM Eastern time | 10:00 PM Eastern time |
| Georgia | 10:00 PM Eastern time | 10:45 PM Eastern time |
| Maine | 9:50 PM Eastern time | 9:50 PM Eastern time |
| Michigan | 9:58 PM Eastern timeMichigan lists online and in-store together under Purchase Times. | 10:45 PM Eastern timeMichigan states this one as in-store and online explicitly. |
| New Hampshire | 9:50 PM Eastern time | 9:50 PM Eastern time |
| New York | 10:00 PM Eastern time | 10:00 PM Eastern time |
| Pennsylvania | 9:59 PM Eastern time | 9:59 PM Eastern time |
| Texas | 9:00 PM Central timeTexas publishes this as the start of a draw break running to 10:15pm. | 9:45 PM Central timeTexas publishes this as the start of a draw break running to 10:15pm. |
| Vermont | 9:50 PM Eastern time | 9:50 PM Eastern time |
Each time is what the state lottery publishes. The date we last checked it is on that state's page.
Questions people ask
- What time is the Powerball drawing?
- Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59pm Eastern. Ticket sales close earlier, at a time your own state sets.
- What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
- Tuesday and Friday at 11:00pm Eastern. Sales close before that, again at a time set by your state.
- What time do lottery ticket sales stop?
- Before the drawing, and it is set per game and per state. Michigan closes Powerball at 9:58pm, California at 7:00pm. Your state's time is in the table on this page.
- Can I still buy a ticket on the day of the drawing?
- Yes, up to your state's cutoff. That can be a few hours before the drawing, so buy well ahead of it rather than at the last minute.