GTA 6 Draws $260 Million in First-Week Pre-Orders as Newzoo Sees Up to $5.2 Billion Launch
Updated
Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Jul 17
GTA 6 Draws $260 Million in First-Week Pre-Orders as Newzoo Sees Up to $5.2 Billion Launch
3 articles · Updated · GamesIndustry.biz · Jul 17
Summary
$260 million in global digital pre-orders flowed to Grand Theft Auto 6 in the last week of June after bookings opened on June 24, according to Newzoo.
$180 million of that came from the US and five major European markets, and Newzoo said viral claims of $1 billion in pre-orders 21 weeks before launch were unsupported.
At a $79.99 digital-only price on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game is following a typical sequel curve, with pre-orders projected to account for 5.8% of cumulative sales.
Newzoo now forecasts GTA 6 could generate $3.3 billion to $5.2 billion by the end of launch week in November, with a central estimate of $4.5 billion and about 51 million units sold.
With a record $2.5 billion budget, can GTA 6's launch in November possibly fail to meet its colossal expectations?
Will GTA 6's digital-only launch permanently alter how all major video games are sold and consumed by players worldwide?
GTA 6’s $260 Million Pre-Order Surge: How Rockstar’s Blockbuster Is Redefining AAA Gaming and Entertainment
Overview
Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) has already made history before its November 2026 release, with pre-orders reaching an estimated $260 million globally since opening on June 24. This digital-only title, priced at $79.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, has set a new benchmark as the strongest pre-order campaign ever for a video game. Industry analysts project historic launch week sales, with forecasts suggesting billions in revenue and millions of units sold. The unprecedented anticipation and massive demand highlight GTA 6’s status as a monumental success, reshaping expectations for blockbuster game launches.