If you’ve been scrolling gaming forums, following Rockstar’s social media, or arguing with friends about GTA 6’s launch timeline, you’re far from alone. The upcoming entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise is easily the most anticipated game of the decade, and one question pops up more than almost any other: when will GTA 6 pre orders start. No one wants to miss out on exclusive bonuses or end up waiting weeks for a physical copy after launch day, so it makes sense that fans are already mapping out their pre order plans months in advance. I’ve covered Rockstar game launches for over 8 years, so I’m breaking down everything we know right now, plus actionable tips to make sure you don’t get left behind.
Patterns From Past Rockstar Game Pre Order Launches
If you’re trying to guess when will GTA 6 pre orders start, looking at Rockstar’s past launch patterns is the most reliable way to get an accurate estimate. For Red Dead Redemption 2, the studio opened pre orders exactly 7 months before the official global release date, and they gave fans a full 7 days of notice before pre orders went live. For GTA 5, pre orders opened 6 months ahead of launch, aligned with a special gameplay reveal trailer that dropped during Gamescom. Pre order windows almost always align with a major gaming event — think The Game Awards, Gamescom, or a dedicated Rockstar showcase, rather than being announced out of the blue on a random Tuesday.
Rockstar also never opens pre orders before they’ve shared extended, official gameplay footage. They don’t want fans to pay for a product they haven’t seen in action, which is a good policy that cuts down on post-purchase disappointment. That means we can completely rule out any pre order launches before the next full GTA 6 gameplay trailer drops, which has been teased by insiders for late 2024.
What We Know So Far About When Will GTA 6 Pre Orders Start
As of now, Rockstar has not shared an exact official date for pre order launches, but we can narrow down the timeline pretty accurately based on existing announcements. We know the game is set to release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2025, so following the 6 to 8 month pre order window pattern, that puts pre order openings somewhere between late 2024 and early 2025. Many industry insiders have reported that pre orders will likely launch right after the next full GTA 6 gameplay trailer drops, which is expected to premiere before the end of 2024.
Some leakers have claimed pre orders will go live the same day as the trailer, but Rockstar usually gives fans a few days of heads up so people can decide which edition they want to buy and save up if needed. Right now, there are dozens of fake pre order listings popping up on third-party retail sites and social media marketplaces, many with inflated prices or fake bonus promises. You should never put money down for a GTA 6 pre order unless the listing is shared directly by Rockstar or an official retail partner like Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, or official console storefronts.
Perks You Can Expect From GTA 6 Pre Orders
Before you start trying to reserve your copy, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’ll get when will GTA 6 pre orders start, so you can decide if putting money down early is right for you. Based on past Rockstar pre order offerings, here are the perks you can likely expect:
- Exclusive in-game content: For past titles, this included bonus outfits, rare vehicles, $1 million in in-game cash, and single-player mission packs that were never released for players who bought the game after launch.
- Special edition access: Pre order customers usually get first dibs on collector’s editions that include physical items like hardcover art books, official Vice City map prints, character statue figurines, and limited-edition official soundtracks. These editions sell out in hours most of the time.
- Early access perks: For multiplayer modes, pre order players often get 24 to 72 hours of early access to GTA Online content before it rolls out to all players, plus exclusive rank boosts and customization items for their online character.
- Guaranteed launch day delivery: If you pre order a physical copy, you won’t have to deal with stock shortages that often happen in the first few weeks after a big game launch, even if you choose free standard shipping.
Of course, not all pre order perks are worth the extra cost, especially if you only care about playing the base game. Standard edition pre orders usually only include a small in-game bonus, so you don’t have to spring for the $150 collector’s edition if you don’t care about physical merch. You can also expect to see platform-specific perks, like extra in-game cash for PS5 pre orders or exclusive controller skins for Xbox pre orders, depending on which console you own.
Pro Tips to Secure Your GTA 6 Pre Order Without Hassle
The last thing you want is to miss out on the edition you want because you weren’t prepared when pre orders go live. First, follow Rockstar’s official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, and sign up for their official mailing list. They will announce the pre order date there first, before any news sites or leakers share the info. You don’t want to rely on secondhand reports that might have the wrong date or time.
Second, decide which edition you want ahead of time — standard, special, or collector’s — so you don’t waste time debating when pre orders go live. If you want a physical collector’s edition, make sure you have accounts set up with all major official retailers ahead of time, with your shipping and payment info saved to your profile. Collector’s editions of big Rockstar games usually sell out in less than 2 hours, so every second counts when pre orders go live.
You also don’t have to pay the full price upfront for most pre orders. Many retailers let you put down a $5 to $10 deposit to reserve your copy, and you pay the rest when it ships. That’s a great option if you don’t want to drop $70 or more months before the game comes out. Avoid buying from random third-party sellers on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, even if they claim to have pre order slots available. They often jack up prices for collector’s editions or sell fake pre order codes that don’t work at all.
At the end of the day, we’re all waiting for Rockstar to drop official news about when will GTA 6 pre orders start, but you don’t have to sit around guessing. By following the patterns from past launches, keeping an eye out for official announcements, and prepping your retail accounts ahead of time, you’ll be first in line to secure your copy as soon as pre orders go live. There’s no need to stress about missing out, as long as you stick to official retailers and ignore fake listings that pop up before Rockstar makes their official announcement. Before you know it, you’ll be counting down the days until you can explore the new Vice City for yourself.
