A purported leak from Best Buy suggests pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will open from May 18 to May 21, 2026 [1].

The potential leak is significant because it suggests a concrete timeline for one of the most anticipated entertainment releases in history. If verified, it would signal that Rockstar Games is moving toward the final commercial phase of the game's launch cycle.

According to reports, several gaming influencers received affiliate-campaign emails detailing the upcoming window [2]. The leaked communication reportedly references "GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)" and lists the specific dates of May 18 through May 21 [1]. A reporter for MSN said multiple people seem to have received these emails advertising the pre-orders [3].

This development has fueled speculation that Rockstar Games may release a third official trailer to coincide with the pre-order window. Some analysts suggest a trailer drop could be imminent to maximize hype as the window opens [4, 5].

However, the information remains unverified. Yahoo News said that pre-orders are not yet live and the developer has not announced an official window [6]. Other observers, including Metro, noted that a new trailer is unlikely so soon if the game is slated for a November launch, as the title would still be more than six months away [7].

Rockstar Games and Best Buy have not officially confirmed the validity of the emails. The discrepancy between the leaked dates and official company silence has left the gaming community divided on whether the May 18 date is accurate or a mistake in the affiliate system [6].

“"The alleged campaign references 'GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)' and reportedly runs between May 18 and May 21."”

The discrepancy between retail leaks and official developer silence highlights the volatility of the GTA VI marketing cycle. While a May pre-order window would align with a late-year release, the low confidence in these leaks suggests that Rockstar Games continues to maintain tight control over the information flow, often leading to false starts in the community.