GTA VI shows up at El Clásico: Barça vs. Real Madrid pitchside boards read "Coming November 19"

Status: Confirmed. The ads were visible on the match broadcast in several countries, and plenty of viewers captured them. Rockstar hasn't commented on the campaign.

GTA VI is now advertising in Spain, and it picked the biggest stage. During Barcelona vs. Real Madrid on Sunday, October 25, at Spotify Camp Nou, the pitchside LED boards ran ads for the game several times: the Grand Theft Auto VI logo and the line "Coming November 19" (Vandal, Beebom).

1 / 4

The GTA VI logo, pitchside u/Rude-Ad-7224 and u/mellas31 (via @GTA6Alerts)

What was shown

• The full logo, "grand theft auto VI," on the sideline boards, with packed stands behind.
• The date, "Coming November 19," in purple, in the broadcast's wide shot. In one of the captures going around, the score is 0-0 in the 23rd minute.
• Outside Spain too. The captures come from several broadcasts, including CazéTV in Brazil (video via @SucumbaGames) and myKORA in the Middle East (@videotech). The first photos shared, by Reddit users u/Rude-Ad-7224 and u/mellas31, were spread by @GTA6Alerts.

Why it matters

It's the first time we've seen the GTA VI campaign in Spain, and the second time in a week that Rockstar has bet on live sport. On October 20 it debuted its first TV ad on NBA opening night, and in Miami the Heat will play as Vice City the night before launch (our story), in an arena that already has Burger Shot and Cluckin' Bell.

Until now, almost all of the game's advertising had stayed in the US. Taking it to El Clásico, which is watched around the world, suggests the global campaign is starting now, three and a half weeks before launch.

What we don't know

• Whether there will be TV or street ads in Spain, as in Miami.
• Whether Rockstar will be back at more LaLiga matches or other European leagues.
• How much it paid. The audience figures going around, in the hundreds of millions, have no source.