Excitement around Grand Theft Auto VI has reached another level, and this time, the buzz may have moved more than just fan conversations online. A leaked retail email suggesting that GTA 6 pre-orders could begin soon appears to have helped push Take-Two Interactive’s market value up by around $2 billion in a single day.
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, shares of Take-Two Interactive, the publisher behind Rockstar Games’ upcoming blockbuster, climbed sharply as investors reacted to what looked like an early sign of the game’s pre-order rollout. The stock reportedly jumped between 5% and 10%, moving from its earlier weekly range of roughly $216 to $230 per share to more than $240.
The surge followed the appearance of a leaked Best Buy affiliate email that referenced “GTA 6 Pre-Order (Physical Game).” The promotional window listed in the email ran from May 18 to May 21, 2026, and included a 5% commission for affiliate partners and influencers who generated sales.
Although fans initially treated the leak with caution, screenshots of the email were later shared by multiple affiliate partners, strengthening belief that the information was legitimate. As a result, many now expect Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders to open on May 18, 2026, at least for the physical edition.
The timing is especially important because Take-Two’s Q4 2026 earnings call is scheduled for May 21, 2026. With investor attention already focused heavily on GTA 6, the company could use the event to provide more clarity on the game’s marketing plans, sales expectations, or upcoming promotional beats.
For fans, the leak is also being taken as another sign that Grand Theft Auto VI remains on track for its planned November 19, 2026 release date. After years of speculation, delays, rumors, and record-breaking trailer views, even a small pre-order detail is enough to send the gaming community into overdrive.
Expectations for GTA 6 are enormous. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently acknowledged the pressure surrounding the launch, saying that being close to the excitement is both “very, very exciting” and “terrifying” because expectations are so high.
That pressure is understandable. Grand Theft Auto V became one of the most successful entertainment products ever released, and GTA 6 is widely expected to deliver one of the biggest launches in gaming history. With Rockstar returning to Vice City-inspired locations, introducing new protagonists, and building on more than a decade of anticipation, demand for the game is already massive before pre-orders have even officially opened.
Still, Rockstar Games and Take-Two have not yet publicly confirmed the leaked pre-order date. Until an official announcement is made, the May 18 date should be treated as highly likely but not guaranteed.
With the earnings call just days away, fans and investors are now watching closely. If the GTA 6 pre-order rollout begins as suggested, it could mark the start of a major marketing push leading into the game’s November launch. For now, the leaked email has done exactly what almost anything related to Grand Theft Auto VI seems to do: dominate attention, fuel speculation, and prove just how powerful the GTA brand remains.
