North Carolina (NC) Lottery
    Drawing Times & Schedule

    North Carolina Lottery drawings run every day from 9:00 AM to 11:59 PM ET, 83 a week across 8 draw games. Powerball is drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM, and Mega Millions Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM. Ticket sales close 15 to 61 minutes before most drawings.

    North Carolina Lottery Drawing Schedule & Cutoff Times

    Every game's draw days and times, and the cut-off for buying tickets before each drawing

    • Powerball logo

      Powerball

      Mon, Wed and Sat
      • Mon, Wed and Sat10:59 PMSales close 9:59 PM
    • Mega Millions logo

      Mega Millions

      Tue and Fri
      • Tue and Fri11:00 PMSales close 10:45 PM
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    • Millionaire for Life logo

      Millionaire for Life

      Every day
      • Draw time11:15 PMSales close 10:15 PM
    • Powerball Xs & Os logo

      Powerball Xs & Os

      Sun
      • Sun10:00 PMSales close 8:59 PM
    • Cash 5

      Every day
      • Draw time11:22 PMSales close 10:59 PM
    • Pick 4

      Every day
      • Day3:00 PMSales close 2:45 PM
      • Evening11:22 PMSales close 11:00 PM
    • Cash Pop

      Every day
      • Morning Buzz9:00 AMSales open until the draw
      • Lunch Rush1:00 PMSales open until the draw
      • Clock Out Cash5:00 PMSales open until the draw
      • Primetime Pop8:00 PMSales open until the draw
      • Midnight Money11:59 PMSales open until the draw
    • Pick 3

      Every day
      • Day3:00 PMSales close 2:45 PM
      • Evening11:22 PMSales close 11:00 PM

    Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.

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    More North Carolina Lottery Help

    Every game’s latest numbers, the best scratch-offs, and draw times in other states.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Answers about the North Carolina Lottery

    What time is the North Carolina Lottery drawing?
    Powerball: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM. Mega Millions: Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM. Millionaire for Life: every day at 11:15 PM. Powerball Xs & Os: Sunday at 10:00 PM. Cash 5: every day at 11:22 PM. Pick 4 and Pick 3: every day at 3:00 PM and 11:22 PM. Cash Pop: 5 times a day, 9:00 AM to 11:59 PM. All times are ET.
    What time can you buy lottery tickets in North Carolina today?
    Until each drawing's cut-off. Ticket sales close 15 to 61 minutes before the drawing: Powerball at 9:59 PM; Mega Millions at 10:45 PM; Millionaire for Life at 10:15 PM; Powerball Xs & Os at 8:59 PM; Cash 5 at 10:59 PM; Pick 4 at 2:45 PM and 11:00 PM; Pick 3 at 2:45 PM and 11:00 PM (ET). Cash Pop stays on sale until moments before each drawing. A ticket bought after the cut-off is for the next drawing.
    What days are the North Carolina Lottery drawings?
    There are North Carolina Lottery drawings every day of the week, Sundays included. Drawn every day: Millionaire for Life, Cash 5, Pick 4, Cash Pop and Pick 3. On set days: Powerball on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; Mega Millions on Tuesday and Friday; Powerball Xs & Os on Sunday.
    What time is the Powerball drawing in North Carolina?
    Powerball is drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 9:59 PM, an hour before.
    What time is the Mega Millions drawing in North Carolina?
    Mega Millions is drawn Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 10:45 PM, 15 minutes before.
    What time is the Millionaire for Life drawing in North Carolina?
    Millionaire for Life is drawn every day at 11:15 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 10:15 PM, an hour before.
    What time is the Powerball Xs & Os drawing in North Carolina?
    Powerball Xs & Os is drawn Sunday at 10:00 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 8:59 PM, 61 minutes before.
    What time is the Cash 5 drawing in North Carolina?
    Cash 5 is drawn every day at 11:22 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 10:59 PM, 23 minutes before.
    What time is the Pick 4 drawing in North Carolina?
    Pick 4 is drawn twice a day, every day: Day at 3:00 PM and Evening at 11:22 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 2:45 PM and 11:00 PM.
    What time is the Cash Pop drawing in North Carolina?
    Cash Pop is drawn five times a day, every day: Morning Buzz at 9:00 AM, Lunch Rush at 1:00 PM, Clock Out Cash at 5:00 PM, Primetime Pop at 8:00 PM and Midnight Money at 11:59 PM ET. Tickets stay on sale until moments before each drawing.
    What time is the Pick 3 drawing in North Carolina?
    Pick 3 is drawn twice a day, every day: Day at 3:00 PM and Evening at 11:22 PM ET. Ticket sales close at 2:45 PM and 11:00 PM.

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