GTA VI Tops 12 Million Preorders Ahead of Nov. 19 Launch

"Grand Theft Auto VI" launches on November 19, 2026, with third-party estimates pointing to exceptional preorder demand and Wall Street expecting tens of millions of copies sold by March, CNBC reported Thursday. Rockstar Games' parent Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) has seen its stock more than double since the beginning of 2023 in anticipation of the release.

Sensor Tower estimated over 12 million preorders through November 13, and Morgan Stanley forecast the game could sell 40 million copies by March 2027, CNBC reported. Roth analyst Eric Handler estimated Rockstar spent more than $1 billion developing the game. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in a CNBC Squawk Box interview that the company's expectations were high and are being vastly exceeded so far.

The impact is expected to reach beyond gaming. BambooHR, a workplace time-off platform, reported that paid time off requests for the release date are nearly 13% higher than equivalent days in 2024 and 2025, and that nearly one in five workers are planning to take time off for the launch, CNBC reported.

PwC projected that food delivery companies could see a surge from hunkered-down gamers, and Miami tourism could benefit, CNBC reported. The firm cited a parallel: foreign visitors to Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village, which inspired a location in the Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters, increased 118% in the four weeks following the movie's debut. On the downside, PwC's Bart Spiegel said the game could pull viewers away from video streaming platforms in the week before Thanksgiving.

The franchise has a track record of lasting engagement: even 13 years after launch, Grand Theft Auto V is one of the top five most viewed games on Twitch this year, CNBC reported. Streamers and creators are positioning for the launch, with Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton saying it offers a sustaining opportunity to grow, build, engage and retain audiences.

Take-Two shares traded at $227.82, up 0.38% in delayed trading.