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News · Updated 25 Oct 2026

GTA 6 launch “sick day”: the $1 billion claim, checked

Short answer: An economist’s estimate says about 1.5 million Americans could skip work on GTA 6 launch day (19 November 2026), costing roughly $1 billion in output. It is a projection, not a published study, and other economists say the real cost is much smaller.

By Jake Morrison · Sources checked by GTA6Geek Editorial · Published 24 Oct 2026 · Updated 24 Oct 2026

Jason Duval from GTA 6, used for a news story about launch day sick days

On this page

Where the $1 billion number comes from
Why other economists doubt it
Other signals for 19 November
Taking the day off? Plan it
Sources
What to read next

Where the $1 billion number comes from

Reported The estimate is credited to José García Montalvo, an economics professor at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. International Business Times reported it first.
Reported The math: about 1.5 million absences, average yearly output of about $70,000 per worker, and a short productivity dip of about 2%.
Reported Young men aged 18 to 30 are expected to be most likely to take the day off, with tech companies hit hardest.
Unconfirmed Fortune notes the figure is not from a published study and has been circulating for months.

Why other economists doubt it

Victor Matheson of the College of the Holy Cross told Fortune that most people move time off rather than add it. He puts $1 billion at roughly 1% of one day of US output, and says one game launch disrupts work less than events like March Madness.

Other signals for 19 November

Reported HR company BambooHR says time-off requests for 19 November are 9% to 17% above a normal third Thursday of November (via Fortune and Money).
Reported Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in April that many people would call in sick on launch day.
Reported Newzoo forecasts at least 37 million copies sold in the first week.

Taking the day off? Plan it

Check the exact unlock time, finish the pre-load and use our launch plan. Book leave the honest way; nobody needs a fake doctor’s note.

Sources

Last checked: 25 Oct 2026. Labels: Official = Rockstar or platform holder, Reported = previews or press, Unconfirmed = not stated by Rockstar.

Frequently asked questions

Will GTA 6 really cost the US $1 billion?

Nobody knows. It is one economist’s rough projection, not a published study, and other economists think the real effect is far smaller.

How many people will skip work for GTA 6?

The estimate says about 1.5 million Americans. BambooHR data shows time-off requests for 19 November running 9% to 17% above normal.

What time does GTA 6 unlock?

GTA 6 launches on 19 November 2026. See our release time page for your country.