Grand Theft Auto 6 has reportedly generated an extraordinary $1 billion (£755 million) in revenue within the first hour of pre-orders going live, according to analysts cited by a University of Virginia business professor. The figure suggests Rockstar Games may have already recouped the majority of the blockbuster sequel's development budget, estimated between $1 billion and $1.5 billion.
Pre-Orders Open Amid Market Surge
Pre-orders for GTA 6 opened on Thursday, June 25, at midnight, but neither Rockstar nor its parent company Take-Two Interactive has released official sales data. However, the lack of transparency has not stopped analysts from modelling the financial impact. Anthony Palomba, a business professor at the University of Virginia, revealed in an interview that analysts calculated the $1 billion figure "in the first hour alone."
Palomba emphasized the significance of pre-orders beyond mere sales, stating: "Third, and most overlooked, they are a signal to financial markets. Take-Two shares rose almost 3% in early trading when pre-orders opened, and some analysts modeled as much as $1 billion in revenue in the first hour alone." He added: "For a listed company, the pre-order window functions as an investor communication event as much as a sales channel."
Budget Recouped in Record Time
If the analyst estimates are accurate, GTA 6 may have covered the bulk of its production costs within 60 minutes. The game's budget has been reported to range from $1 billion to $1.5 billion, though some estimates have placed it as high as $3 billion. Even at the upper end, the pre-order revenue suggests strong consumer demand that could easily justify the investment through overall lifetime sales.
For context, GTA 5—released in 2013—generated over $1 billion in retail sales after three days. It has since sold 230 million copies, making it the second best-selling game of all time behind Minecraft. GTA 6 benefits from a higher price point and immense pent-up demand, given that the series has not seen a new mainline entry in over a decade.
Scalpers and Platform Split
While pre-order numbers remain undisclosed, some estimates have surfaced regarding the sales split between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. Additionally, bizarre scalper activity has been observed on eBay, with listings for pre-order copies at inflated prices. These indicators, combined with the $1 billion revenue claim, point to record-breaking demand.
GTA 6 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. The game's launch is expected to dwarf that of its predecessor, though matching GTA 5's lifetime sales—achieved over 13 years and across three console generations—remains a long-term challenge. Still, the pre-order performance suggests GTA 6 is on track to become one of the fastest-selling entertainment products in history.
