GTA 6 pre-order rumors debunked: latest updates

The hype surrounding GTA 6 remains at a fever pitch, even though pre-orders did not go live today as some rumors suggested. With Summer Game Fest approaching, excitement is only expected to intensify, regardless of whether Rockstar Games makes an official announcement at the event. The company will need to open pre-orders eventually, so we are monitoring the situation closely.

Did you really expect pre-orders today, or was this entire speculation blown out of proportion? We certainly entertained the possibility, even while acknowledging it could amount to nothing. Wishful thinking got the better of many of us. Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in our poll to let us know how you’re coping with this extended period of GTA-less news.

As of 5 p.m. UK time and noon on the East Coast, it appears today is not the day. Based on Rockstar’s historical patterns, any major GTA 6 announcement or pre-order launch would have likely occurred by now. The odds of pre-orders going live today are extremely remote, and we apologize to anyone who had their hopes up.

The silence on the GTA 6 pre-order front continues. While I’m not ready to declare today a complete washout, we are firmly in the window where any Rockstar announcement would need to come imminently. My skepticism was already high, and now I am leaning heavily toward no pre-orders today. If you’re still holding out hope, let me know in the comments.

I have fallen deep into a GTA 6 pre-order conspiracy rabbit hole. After seven hours of live blogging, I am analyzing every detail. When Rockstar announced pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto V, it happened on Monday, November 5, 2012, at 4:36 p.m. UK time. If the company follows the same pattern for GTA 6, that would mean pre-order details in about 90 minutes. Further supporting this theory, Red Dead Redemption 2 pre-orders went live on Monday, June 4, 2018. Rockstar has a clear historical preference for Monday pre-order announcements, giving us a small thread of hope to hold onto.

The US is awake, but there is still no GTA 6 news. It is approaching 10 a.m. on the East Coast, a period where Rockstar has historically dropped trailers and social media posts. If we were going to see something from Vice City today, this would be the most likely window. The lack of news and the absence of fresh rumors hinting at an imminent announcement are not good signs. However, Rockstar could be changing its schedule, so while I am leaning against today being the day, I cannot completely rule it out.

A major topic of discussion is not just the pre-order date, but the GTA 6 price. The standard AAA base price in the US is $69.99, but Rockstar might push further. Last summer, Mario Kart World launched at $79.99, leading to predictions of a price increase across the industry. While The Outer Worlds 2 attempted a higher price before walking it back, GTA 6’s immense demand could allow Rockstar and Take-Two to set whatever price they want. Some analysts have predicted a $100 standard edition. However, given that GTA 5‘s revenue is driven by Shark Card microtransactions in GTA Online, Rockstar may keep the entry price reasonable at $69.99 or $80 to maximize the player base for its online world.

It has been over a year since Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 was released, and it remains our last look at the game. With rumors swirling, now is a good time for a rewatch. Without new leaks or confirmation of a third trailer, this may have to sustain us for a while longer.

If Rockstar does make an announcement today, the most likely time is between 2-3 p.m. BST (9-10 a.m. ET), based on their history. Trailer 2 dropped at 2:30 p.m. BST, so the quiet morning is not unexpected. The next two hours are the critical window, though Rockstar could always throw a curveball.

A popular GTA forum user named “Graczdari_91” claims access to “internal company emails” suggesting that Best Buy got it wrong and no pre-orders will launch today. The user refuses to share proof, but a forum admin claims to have verified their identity. This claim is unsubstantiated, but it adds to the uncertainty.

In another timeline, we would be about a week away from having GTA 6 in our hands. The original release date was Tuesday, May 26, 2026, but the game was delayed to November 19, 2026. Perhaps Rockstar will reward our patience with a new trailer and pre-orders today.

A poll of Tom’s Guide readers shows the community is split. After over 125 votes, 38% believe we won’t get pre-orders today, 36% believe the rumors, and 26% are unsure. This split reflects how unpredictable Rockstar can be.

The most compelling evidence yet comes from Walmart, which appears to have a live Grand Theft Auto VI listing page on its website and in Google search results. Clicking the link returns a “This page couldn’t be found” error, but it suggests the retailer is preparing for a launch. This is the most tangible sign so far that pre-orders could happen today.

My skepticism about the PlayStation Store theory is strong. I found that the same “free delivery” Google search text appears for other 2026 releases like Control Resonant and Marvel’s Wolverine, which are not yet available for pre-order. This appears to be standard tagging, not a specific sign of an imminent GTA 6 pre-order.

A Reddit theory suggests that Rockstar’s YouTube channel may hint at a new trailer. The account currently has 416 public videos but 446 total, including private/unlisted ones. If accurate, Rockstar may have uploaded two new videos, possibly GTA 6 Trailer 3 and a pre-order confirmation trailer. Take this with a grain of salt.

When GTA 6 pre-orders go live, they may include a Collector’s Edition. GTA 5 had standard, special, and collector editions. While physical editions are less popular now, collector’s editions are still released for major AAA titles. The GTA 5 Collector’s Edition included a snapback cap, security deposit bag, blueprint map, and steelbook. A GTA 6 Collector’s Edition could cost $200 or more, given rumors of a $100 base price.

Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson suggests we might not hear anything about GTA 6 until July or August. He believes the Best Buy email is legit but not concrete proof of an imminent pre-order launch. Only time will tell.

A Reddit post claiming to have spotted GTA 6 promotional material through a window in Denmark has been compared to grainy UFO photos. The images are blurry and unverifiable, and with high-quality cameras and AI, such “leaks” are highly suspect.

A screenshot from the Portuguese Xbox Store shows an updated timestamp of “2 hours ago” on the GTA 6 listing page. If legitimate, this suggests something was updated in the early morning, which would make sense if pre-orders were going live today. It is another hopeful sign, but not confirmation.

The GTA 6 release date is currently set for November 19, 2026. Despite fears of further delays, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently reaffirmed the date, noting that development is “about 18 months behind the original date.” The game’s development has clearly been a marathon.

The entire frenzy traces back to a Best Buy email sent to members of its affiliate program last week, seemingly confirming that GTA 6 pre-orders would launch today, May 18. Rockstar and Best Buy have not commented on the email’s validity, leaving the gaming community in a state of hopeful uncertainty.

It has been 377 days since GTA 6 Trailer 2 dropped on May 6, 2025. Since then, the only official news has been the delay confirmation. The community is desperate for an update. Could today finally be the day?