Written by Jackpot Staff
Updated: September 5, 2025
Powerball is one of the most widely recognized lottery games in the United States, offering massive jackpots that attract millions of hopeful participants. However, knowing when ticket sales close in your state is essential to ensure you don’t miss your chance to play, especially when there’s a significant prize on the line. The deadline for buying Powerball tickets depends on your state, but is typically one to two hours before the drawing.
If you’ve ever rushed to buy a Powerball ticket at the last minute, you’re not alone. The drawing itself happens at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, but each state has its own rules about when ticket sales close.
For example, in states operating in the Eastern Time Zone, you’ll usually have until around 9:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET to purchase a ticket. States in the Central Time Zone cut off sales around 8:59 p.m. CT, while states in the Mountain and Pacific Time Zones often stop sales much earlier, sometimes as early as 6:45 p.m. PT. Understanding these state-specific rules can help you plan ahead and avoid disappointment.
States in the Eastern Time Zone generally allow ticket sales until just before 10:00 p.m. ET, although a few states have slightly earlier cutoff times:
In the Central Time Zone, cutoff times are typically set around 8:59 p.m. CT, ensuring plenty of time before the drawing:
Because these states operate on earlier schedules relative to the drawing time, their cutoff times can be a bit earlier, based on the drawing time:
When it comes to Powerball, timing is everything. Missing the ticket sales deadline by even a few minutes can mean losing the chance to win millions. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
By keeping these factors in mind and planning ahead, you can maximize your chances of participating in Powerball without the stress of last-minute scrambles.
In August 2025, the Powerball jackpot began rolling over week after week, and by the end of the month climbed past the billion-dollar mark after more than 40 consecutive draws without a winner. With so much excitement surrounding this historic run, it’s more important than ever to know your state’s Powerball ticket cutoff time so you don’t miss out on your chance to order tickets and select your numbers. Stay up to date with the latest draws on our Powerball page or follow the Powerball Jackpot Updates - Live Results blog, where we post all winning numbers and breaking news in real time.