Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is officially set to launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026, ending a wait of more than 13 years since the release of Grand Theft Auto V in 2013.
Rockstar Games has confirmed the date after earlier delays, and the game will arrive first on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Grand Theft Auto series began in 1997 and grew into one of the most successful video-game franchises in history. It is known for large open worlds, crime-focused stories, driving, missions, satire, and player freedom.
The previous main game, GTA V, was released in 2013 and became a cultural and commercial landmark. Its online mode, GTA Online, kept the game popular for more than a decade, which made fans wait even longer for a full sequel.
GTA 6 was first announced in December 2023. Its release was originally expected in 2025, then moved to May 2026, and finally delayed again to November 19, 2026.
Rockstar says GTA 6 will unlock at midnight local time on November 19 in each region. This means players in different countries will start playing at different clock times, but all will get access at their local midnight.
The game is launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has not announced a PC release date, so PC players will have to wait for an official update.
Digital pre-loading began on November 10. On PS5, it started at midnight local time, while Xbox players could begin pre-loading globally at 12:00 a.m. GMT.
The pre-load file needs up to 212 GB of storage, depending on the console. Rockstar has advised players to make sure they have enough free space before downloading.
The Standard Edition costs Sh10,398 ($79.99) in the United States. Players who buy the digital Standard or Ultimate Edition before November 20 receive the Vintage Vice City Pack and one free month of GTA+.
Pre-orders do not give early access to the game. They only provide the bonus items and the GTA+ membership offer.
GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, with Vice City as a major location. The story follows two main characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, who become involved in crime together.
At launch, the game will be a single-player story experience. Rockstar has not announced a release date for an online multiplayer mode, so players should not expect GTA Online-style multiplayer on day one.
GTA 6 is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment launches ever. The long wait, the popularity of GTA V, and the huge scale of the new game have created massive interest from fans around the world.
Rockstar has also planned extra launch content, including a free digital poster and map of Leonida on November 19, plus a physical version available later through the Rockstar Store
For players planning to buy the game, the main advice is simple: pre-load early, free up enough storage, and be ready to play when the clock strikes midnight on November 19.