GTA VI launch expected to cost Israeli economy up to NIS 170 million in lost productivity

The launch of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19, 2026, is projected to cost the Israeli economy NIS 75–170 million in lost productivity, with 42,000–95,000 workers expected to take leave. Pre-loading caused record internet traffic at Europe's DE-CIX hub.

Global anticipation for the launch of GTA 6 this Thursday is transcending the gaming world, becoming an unprecedented economic and infrastructural event. The pre-load phase of the 212 GB installation file brought Europe's largest internet exchange, DE-CIX in Frankfurt, to a historic traffic peak of 22.30 terabits per second – a jump of over 19% from the previous record. Virgin Media reported its busiest day ever with a 70% surge in data volume. Meanwhile, HR firms Rimut and Personio reveal a global spike of about 32% in leave requests on launch day, led by Italy which doubled requests and India with a 60% increase. In Israel, according to estimates, up to 95,000 workers are expected to be absent from their workplaces, potentially subtracting between 75 and 170 million shekels from daily GDP. Take-Two updated its annual revenue forecast to over $8 billion, and analysts estimate revenues of up to $5.2 billion in the first week. The headline asks about network collapse, but the body describes documented loads and infrastructure preparedness.