The Best Buy Leak: What the Email Says

The leak surfaced overnight on May 13-14, 2026. Best Buy affiliates received an internal campaign brief that was not meant to go out yet. The email describes a campaign called "GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)" with the following details:

Key details from the Best Buy email
  • Campaign dates: May 18 to May 21, 2026
  • Product type: Physical preorder (boxed copy)
  • Affiliate commission: 5% per sale
  • Platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

Multiple affiliates confirmed receiving the same email, which rules out a single fabricated screenshot. The email reportedly originated from notifications@app.impact.com, a legitimate affiliate marketing platform. Some sources note it was sent at midnight instead of noon, suggesting an internal scheduling error rather than an intentional disclosure.

Source French outlet Rockstar Mag' covered this story on May 14, 2026. Rockstar Mag' is an independent fan media officially recognized by Rockstar Games since 2015, with a YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/RockstarGamesMag.

What This Means in Practice

Best Buy is the largest physical game retailer in the United States. When Best Buy programs an affiliate campaign for a specific product on a specific date, it reflects a commercial agreement with the publisher or distributor. These campaigns do not get set up unilaterally.

The implication is clear: if Best Buy opens physical preorders on May 18, Amazon, GameStop, and European retailers should follow within hours. Game preorder launches are coordinated across major retail partners to prevent competitive disadvantage.

May 18 is a Monday. Major gaming announcements are consistently timed for early in the week to maximize press coverage and social momentum. The calendar logic reinforces the credibility of the leak date.

Several analysts also note that Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive have been unusually quiet in recent weeks, a pattern that often precedes a coordinated announcement with retailers. A Trailer 3 release may accompany or precede the official preorder launch.

How to Be Ready to Preorder on May 18

Here is what to do now to be ready when pages go live on Monday:

Our platform guides walk you through the preorder process step by step:

Ready for May 18? Check our platform-specific preorder guides.

PS5 Preorder Guide Xbox Preorder Guide

Once preorders are live, you can access them directly on Amazon:

Preorder GTA 6 on Amazon.fr. Guaranteed delivery on release day, charged only when shipped.

Preorder GTA 6 PS5 on Amazon Preorder GTA 6 Xbox on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Buy GTA 6 preorder leak? +
A Best Buy internal affiliate email, sent out by mistake on May 14, 2026, reveals a GTA 6 physical preorder campaign running from May 18 to May 21, 2026, offering affiliates a 5% commission on boxed-copy sales.
Has Rockstar Games confirmed the GTA 6 preorder date? +
No. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have not officially confirmed any preorder date. The leak comes from a Best Buy affiliate email, not an official announcement. That said, multiple recipients confirmed receiving the same email, which makes it harder to dismiss as a fake.
Can I preorder GTA 6 on Amazon? +
Amazon.fr is the main French retailer for game preorders. If Best Buy opens GTA 6 preorders on May 18, Amazon and other major retailers should follow within hours or days.
How much will GTA 6 cost? +
The official price has not been announced yet. Based on current AAA next-gen pricing, the standard edition is expected around 79.99 EUR / $79.99 USD. Pricing should be revealed alongside the official preorder announcement.
When does GTA 6 release? +
GTA 6 (Grand Theft Auto VI) releases on November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X. This date was confirmed by Rockstar Games after the original May 2026 window was delayed.

For everything on GTA 6's release date, platforms, and editions: GTA 6: release date, price, platforms and editions.