Illinois Lottery Hosts Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge In Rockford To Celebrate $700 Million Jackpot

CHICAGO, August 21, 2025 — The Powerball jackpot has soared to a staggering $700 million—the largest in over a year—giving Illinois Lottery players another thrilling chance to strike it rich this weekend.

To celebrate the massive jackpot, the Illinois Lottery is hosting a Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge in Rockford this Friday, giving players a chance to win free Powerball tickets ahead of Saturday night’s drawing.

At the event, the Illinois Lottery will set up its popular “Ticket Grab Machine”—filled with Powerball tickets ready to be snatched by excited participants. Once inside the machine, players will have just a few thrilling seconds to grab as many free tickets as they can. A total of 700 Powerball tickets could be given away during the event.

The Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge will take place at Valli Produce, 5880 E. State St. in Rockford, from 11 am – 1 pm on Friday, August 22.

Can’t make it to the event? Powerball tickets are available at nearly 7,000 retailers statewide. Don’t miss your chance to win big in Saturday night’s $700 million drawing.

Every Illinois Lottery ticket supports local communities. For Powerball, approximately 40 cents of every dollar spent goes to support K-12 education and other good causes. Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $25 billion to education funding in Illinois.

Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Power Play for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.

Powerball b-roll, available for use by the media, download here. 

As the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to grow, the Illinois Lottery reminds players to play for fun, not funds. Be Smart, Play Smart^®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com. 

NOTES:

• All participants in the Powerball Ticket Grab Challenge must be 18 years of age or older
• An Illinois Lottery spokesperson will be available on-site for interviews
• The event will continue while supplies and quantities last

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About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.