GTA VI pre-downloads drive record internet traffic

Internet traffic across DE-CIX's global exchange network reached a record 33.01 terabits per second as pre-downloads for Grand Theft Auto VI began. DE-CIX linked the increase to players downloading the game ahead of its release.

At DE-CIX Frankfurt, which it described as Europe's largest internet exchange, traffic hit 22.30 terabits per second at 8:20pm CET, up 19.06% from the previous record set in January 2026. Fresh peaks were also recorded at its exchanges in Dallas, Phoenix and Chicago as download activity gathered pace.

The figures highlight the impact large game launches can have on core internet infrastructure before players even begin using the title's online services. Pre-downloads for GTA VI started on November 10, and the game's download size is more than 200GB.

DE-CIX operates internet exchanges in more than 65 locations across Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia. These exchanges act as meeting points where network operators, internet service providers and content companies pass traffic between one another.

The latest surge pushed DE-CIX's global traffic above 33 terabits per second for the first time. Regional records were also set in the US, with Dallas reaching 2.66 Tbit/s, Phoenix 212.34 Gbit/s and Chicago 1.22 Tbit/s.

Traffic spikes

Major digital releases and live events often cause abrupt shifts in internet demand, particularly when millions of users try to access the same files or streams within a short period. In this case, the pre-download window appears to have spread demand ahead of launch day while still producing record volumes across multiple exchanges.

"Major gaming releases are among the events that can cause internet traffic to surge significantly in a very short period of time," said Dr Thomas King, Chief Technology Officer at DE-CIX.

"We typically see traffic spikes when software updates are rolled out, or during live streaming events such as the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA World Cup, but the sheer scale of this surge is unrivalled," King said.

Handling such increases depends on coordination between content providers and network operators to ensure enough capacity is available when demand rises, according to DE-CIX. It added that pre-downloads can ease pressure on release day by shifting part of the traffic load earlier.

DE-CIX said it keeps infrastructure utilisation at or below 75%, leaving headroom for unexpected spikes in demand. The approach is designed to allow networks connected through its exchanges to move large volumes of data without running close to full capacity.

Infrastructure strain

The record offers a snapshot of how blockbuster entertainment releases now test digital infrastructure on a global scale. While streaming sport has long been associated with sudden traffic peaks, large game files can have a similar effect, especially when consumers begin downloading at the same time across several regions.

Frankfurt remains a critical hub in that network. DE-CIX said the exchange handles almost 48 exabytes of data a year and connects close to 1,100 networks, making it one of the largest interconnection points in the world.

Since launching in 1995, the company has expanded far beyond Germany and now connects thousands of carriers, internet service providers, content providers and enterprise networks from more than 100 countries. That reach means unusual demand patterns in one consumer market can quickly become visible across international traffic flows.

For network operators, events such as major game launches are becoming increasingly important planning moments. The combination of very large file sizes, global release schedules and concentrated consumer demand can produce short bursts of traffic that rival or exceed other widely watched online events.

"These new records are an impressive demonstration of the enormous volumes of data that our digital infrastructure is capable of handling today," King said.