GTA 6 Release Date History: Every Delay Explained
GTA 6 has been delayed twice. It was first planned for fall 2025, then moved to May 26, 2026 (announced May 2, 2025), and then to November 19, 2026 (announced November 6, 2025). Take-Two has repeated the November 19 date at every earnings update since, and as of October 30, 2026 it has not changed.
Full timeline
| Date | What happened | Target at the time |
|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | Trailer 1 released with a 2025 window | 2025 |
| May 2024 | Take-Two narrows the window in its earnings report | Fall 2025 |
| February 2025 | Take-Two repeats the fall 2025 plan | Fall 2025 |
| May 2, 2025 | First delay announced by Rockstar | May 26, 2026 |
| November 6, 2025 | Second delay announced by Rockstar | November 19, 2026 |
| February 2026 | Take-Two reaffirms date, says marketing starts in summer | November 19, 2026 |
| May 21, 2026 | Zelnick repeats the date on the earnings cycle | November 19, 2026 |
| June 25, 2026 | Pre-orders open worldwide | November 19, 2026 |
Delay 1: fall 2025 to May 26, 2026
On May 2, 2025, Rockstar said GTA 6 “is now set to release on May 26, 2026.” The statement apologized to fans and gave a simple reason: “we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.” Trailer 2 followed four days later, on May 6.
Delay 2: May 26 to November 19, 2026
On November 6, 2025, Rockstar posted on X and its Newswire: “Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026.”
The statement continued: “We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.” Rockstar also said it was excited for players to experience Leonida “and a return to modern day Vice City.”
What Take-Two has said since
- February 2026: CEO Strauss Zelnick told IGN, “I feel good about it. Very good about it.” Take-Two said launch marketing would start in the summer, per GamesRadar+.
- May 21, 2026: Zelnick said, “I think we’ve been really clear that we’re releasing the title on November 19,” as reported by VICE.
- June 25, 2026: Pre-orders opened, with physical boxes (a download code, not a disc) shipping November 12 so buyers can preload. See why the physical edition has no disc.
Summer marketing did happen: the Netflix Extended Look aired on August 27, 2026, and the Launch Trailer arrived on October 15, 2026.
Could GTA 6 be delayed again?
With pre-orders live, physical stock dated for November 12 and a launch trailer out, another delay this late would be very unusual. There is no credible report of one. Still, the only real confirmation is the game unlocking. Check our GTA 6 release time by region and preload guide to be ready.
FAQ
How many times has GTA 6 been delayed?
Twice: from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, and from there to November 19, 2026.
Why was GTA 6 delayed?
Both times Rockstar cited quality and polish. It did not give more technical detail.
What day of the week does GTA 6 launch?
Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Is the PC version on the same date?
No. The November 19 launch is PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only. See is GTA 6 on PC.
Sources: Gematsu, MobileSyrup, GTA Base, GamesRadar+, VICE