Unclaimed $1 million Powerball ticket tied to Indianapolis claim deadline was resolved just before expiration

A high-value Powerball ticket linked to an Indianapolis claim deadline drew statewide attention

A $1 million Powerball ticket connected to a claim deadline in Indianapolis was the subject of public alerts as the expiration date approached. The ticket matched all five white balls in the June 29 drawing, a combination that carries a $1 million prize under standard Powerball rules when the Powerball number is not matched.

Indiana’s draw-game claim rules require winners to redeem eligible tickets within a fixed window. For Powerball tickets sold in the state, that deadline is 180 days from the drawing date, and claims must be submitted through the designated Hoosier Lottery process.

What was known about the winning ticket

• Prize: $1 million (for matching five white balls)
• Drawing date: June 29, 2024
• Winning numbers: 26-51-54-61-69; Powerball: 25
• Claim deadline that was publicly emphasized: 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024
• Claim location identified for deadlines and processing: the Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment Office in downtown Indianapolis

Outcome: the ticket was claimed shortly before the deadline

The case ended with the ticket being claimed on Dec. 26, 2024, roughly five hours before the expiration cutoff. The claim was made at the Hoosier Lottery prize payment office in downtown Indianapolis by a couple from Kendallville who requested privacy.

The couple said they found the ticket between the seats of their car on Christmas Day, one day before the final redemption date.

“It was an emotional day for the both of us.”

Why expiration deadlines matter for lottery prizes

Expiration rules mean that unclaimed winnings do not remain available indefinitely. In Indiana, draw-game prizes such as Powerball must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. For winners, the practical takeaway is that ticket handling and timely verification can be decisive—particularly for large prizes that may not be immediately checked or may be misplaced.

In this case, the approaching deadline prompted a sustained public-awareness effort by lottery officials during December 2024, helping keep the unclaimed prize visible until the winner came forward in time.