If you’ve spent any time scrolling gaming forums or checking social media for Rockstar updates lately, you’ve almost certainly seen the same question popping up over and over: when can we pre order GTA 6? It’s no surprise, given that Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of the most anticipated video game releases of all time, with fans waiting over a decade for a follow-up to 2013’s GTA 5. We’ve sifted through official announcements, industry insider leaks, and Rockstar’s past release patterns to put together all the verified info you need to stay ahead of the pre-order drop.
When Can We Pre Order GTA 6: What We Know From Official Rockstar Updates
Rockstar has not announced an official pre-order start date for GTA 6 as of the latest updates. The only confirmed detail the studio has shared so far is that the game will launch in 2025, first for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release expected to follow at a later date. The first GTA 6 trailer, released in December 2023, broke records for the most views on a gaming trailer in 24 hours, but it didn’t include any pre-order timeline details.
So if you’re asking when can we pre order GTA 6, the short answer is that we expect it to be 3-6 months before the confirmed 2025 launch date, but we don’t have an exact day yet. We base this estimate on Rockstar’s past launch patterns: for Red Dead Redemption 2, the studio opened pre-orders exactly 4 months before the game’s official release date, and sent out formal announcements two weeks prior to the pre-order drop. That means if GTA 6 launches in fall 2025 as most insiders predict, pre-orders could go live as early as spring 2025.
I’ve covered Rockstar game launches for 8 years now, and I can tell you the studio never drops pre-order dates out of nowhere. You’ll see official posts across their social channels, email blasts to Social Club members, and listings go up on all major authorized retailers well before you have to put any money down. There’s no need to stress about missing the drop if you’re paying attention to official sources.
Expected Pre-Order Bonuses and Special Editions
Rockstar has a long history of offering valuable pre-order bonuses to fans who reserve their copy early, and we expect GTA 6 to follow the same pattern. Based on bonuses offered for GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, here’s what you can likely expect to see when pre-orders go live:
It’s almost guaranteed that pre-ordering the standard edition will get you at least one exclusive in-game item, even if you don’t splurge on the premium collector’s version. On top of Rockstar’s official bonuses, many major retailers will offer their own exclusive perks to entice buyers, like store credit, exclusive controller skins, or even free access to a previous Rockstar game. It’s always worth comparing offers across a few different authorized retailers before you lock in your pre-order to get the best value.
Keep in mind that any pre-order listings you see right now for special editions are unofficial. Rockstar won’t reveal details about different edition tiers until they announce the official pre-order start date, so don’t trust any listings that claim to offer special collector’s items before that announcement.
Common Pre-Order Mistakes to Avoid
Never pay for a pre-order listing from an unvetted seller on social media or third-party marketplace sites. Right now, there are hundreds of scammers posting fake GTA 6 pre-order listings on sites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, asking for full payment upfront for copies that don’t exist. I saw hundreds of fans get scammed out of hundreds of dollars for fake Red Dead Redemption 2 pre-orders back in 2017, and the same thing is already happening with GTA 6. Stick only to authorized retailers like Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, or the official PlayStation, Xbox, and Rockstar storefronts.
Another common mistake is pre-ordering the wrong platform by accident. Rockstar has a long track record of releasing PC versions of their games 6 to 12 months after the console launch, so any listing for a PC version of GTA 6 right now is definitely a scam. If you only play on PC, you’ll have to wait longer for pre-order info, and jumping on a fake listing now will only leave you out of pocket.
If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to pay the full price upfront when pre-orders go live. Most major retailers let you put down a small deposit (usually $5 to $10) to reserve your copy, and you can pay the rest of the balance closer to the launch date. That way you don’t have to drop $70 all at once months before you get to play the game, and you can still lock in any pre-order bonuses that are offered.
Don’t lock in your pre-order at the first retailer you see either. Different stores offer different exclusive bonuses, and you might find a better deal or more valuable perks at a different store. It only takes 10 minutes to compare listings across 2 or 3 sites, and you could end up with extra in-game content or store credit that makes the pre-order worth more.
How to Get Notified The Second Pre-Orders Go Live
The most reliable way to get instant pre-order alerts is to follow Rockstar Games’ official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts. The studio always posts their biggest announcements on social media first, before sending out email newsletters or updating their official website. Turn on post notifications for their accounts, and you’ll see the pre-order announcement the second it goes up.
You can also sign up for email alerts on the official Rockstar website, or set up pre-order notifications with major authorized retailers like Amazon or GameStop. These retailers will send you an email or push notification the second pre-orders are available for your platform, so you don’t have to refresh their sites every day waiting for the drop. If you’re a member of the Rockstar Games Social Club, you’ll also get an exclusive email alert a few hours before pre-orders go live to the general public, based on past launches.
You can also turn on post notifications for trusted gaming industry insiders who have a track record of leaking Rockstar news accurately, but always cross-check any news you see from insiders with official Rockstar announcements. Some insiders have a near-perfect track record of revealing Rockstar launch details a few days before the official announcement, but there are just as many people posting fake leaks to get clicks. If you see a pre-order date from an insider, wait for Rockstar to confirm it before you get your hopes up.
If you’re still asking when can we pre order GTA 6 and don’t want to miss the drop, setting up these alerts will make sure you don’t get left behind. The pre-order window will stay open for months before launch, so even if you don’t place your order on the first day, you’ll still have plenty of time to lock in your copy and get all the pre-order bonuses.
At the end of the day, we’re all just as impatient as you are to get an official answer to when can we pre order GTA 6. The good news is that as soon as Rockstar makes an announcement, you’ll have plenty of time to pick the edition that works for you, compare retailer bonuses, and lock in your copy before launch day. Just remember to avoid scammers, don’t pay for any unconfirmed listings right now, and stick to official sources for updates. We’ll keep updating this guide as soon as new pre-order information drops, so you can stay one step ahead of the crowd.
