Take-Two CEO Dismisses Best Buy GTA 6 Pre-Order Rumor

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has publicly dismissed a viral rumor claiming that Best Buy was preparing to open Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders this week, according to a report from GamingBolt. Zelnick directly addressed the speculation in a recent interview, telling fans the claims were not accurate and that no retail partner has been authorized to begin taking pre-orders.

What sparked the rumor

The speculation began circulating across social platforms in late May, fueled by screenshots and unverified tips suggesting Best Buy had internal listings ready to go live. The story spread quickly through GTA-focused communities on Reddit and X, with some posts claiming a specific go-live date this week. None of the sources behind the claims provided verifiable documentation, and no official Best Buy listing ever appeared.

Zelnick’s pushback marks the first time Take-Two leadership has commented on the specific Best Buy claim, although the company has repeatedly stated in earnings calls that pre-order timing for Grand Theft Auto 6 will be coordinated through Rockstar Games and announced via the official Newswire when ready.

Context: a familiar pattern

Pre-order rumors have become a recurring feature of the long GTA 6 marketing cycle. Earlier in 2026, similar speculation surfaced around GameStop and Amazon, both of which were later confirmed to be fan-made mockups or misread placeholder pages. Each cycle has followed the same pattern: a screenshot, rapid amplification on social media, and eventually a quiet correction once no listing materializes.

Rockstar Games has historically opened pre-orders for major releases roughly two to four months ahead of launch, alongside an official announcement post on the Newswire. With Grand Theft Auto 6 still targeting its previously announced 2026 window, any genuine retailer activation would almost certainly be accompanied by simultaneous communication from Rockstar itself.

What’s next

For now, the only confirmed sales channels are those that will be announced directly by Rockstar Games. Take-Two’s next scheduled earnings call remains the most likely venue for any updated guidance on launch logistics, and Rockstar’s Newswire is the only first-party channel that will carry an official pre-order announcement.

Until either of those sources publishes new information, retailer-side claims should be treated as unverified regardless of how detailed the screenshots appear. Zelnick’s statement does not rule out future Best Buy pre-orders — it simply confirms that no such program is active this week.