Scalpers are reselling Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders on eBay at significantly inflated prices, despite the game being widely available for pre-order through standard retail channels. Listings on the auction site show prices reaching as high as £156.70 for the PlayStation 5 version, while Xbox Series X/S copies are being offered for £95.99. On the US eBay site, the highest listing is $168 (£127.17).
Pre-orders widely available at standard prices
GTA 6 pre-orders opened last week, with the standard edition priced at £69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at £89.99 in the UK. These prices are in line with other major AAA game releases, such as Call Of Duty. Physical copies come with a download code rather than a disc, which has sparked some controversy among fans who prefer physical media.
Despite the digital nature of the game's launch, scalpers have attempted to capitalise on demand by listing pre-orders on eBay at inflated prices. However, there is no supply shortage: digital pre-orders are available directly through the PlayStation and Microsoft stores, and boxed copies can be ordered from Amazon, Currys, and Argos with ample stock.
Buyers paying over the odds
Incredibly, some buyers are paying these inflated prices. One eBay listing sold for $120 (£90.85) last week, which is $40 higher than the US standard price. According to the article, 'there’s zero reason to buy GTA 6 at these higher prices,' as the game is readily available elsewhere.
The practice of reselling games before release is common, but typically limited to special editions that are hard to find. Since GTA 6 is a digital download, there is no risk of it selling out. The article questions why anyone would turn to eBay to buy or sell copies of the game under these circumstances.
Release date and context
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch worldwide on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2026. The game has been one of the most anticipated releases in gaming history, leading to months of speculation about its price. Despite earlier concerns, the final pricing has been considered reasonable by industry standards.
