Mark your calendar for when GTA VI is released in 2026

In 2025, anticipation has a name: GTA 6. More than a decade after the last Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar is finally teasing the next chapter of its blockbuster series. Fans first caught a glimpse back in December 2023, with a trailer hinting at a Vice City setting and the franchise’s first playable female lead.

Release dates have shifted since then. Originally pegged for May 2026, Rockstar pushed the launch to November 2026, keeping eager gamers waiting over a year before they can dive in.

Behind the scenes, Rockstar hasn’t had an easy road. A 2022 data breach exposed unfinished gameplay, sending shock waves through the gaming community. Rockstar confirmed the leak but assured players’ development would continue on schedule.

Despite delays and leaks, GTA 6 remains one of the most watched, speculated-about games in recent memory. Here’s everything we know so far—including confirmed dates, key features, and what we’re still guessing.

What’s the hype about this game?

Expected features at a glance:

• Dual protagonists: Lucia (first female lead in GTA history) and Jason, a crime-couple story.
• Smarter AI: cops, civilians, and NPCs react more realistically.
• Improved physics and graphics: cars, weather, and explosions feel more lifelike.
• Revamped Wanted system: smarter police, stealth-based escapes, and dynamic chases.
• Bigger, modern Vice City: beaches, swamps, small towns, and urban hubs in the state of Leonida.
• Side characters: quirky NPCs like Boobie Ike (Vice City legend) and Cal Hampton (conspiracy nut) who give missions.
• Modern-day setting: Vice City moves past the 80s vibe, reflecting tech, culture, and social trends.

For anyone who hasn’t played a Grand Theft Auto game—or is a Gen Alpha scrolling past your older sibling’s gaming posts—here’s the deal: GTA is basically an open-world sandbox where you steal cars, run heists, and generally cause chaos while exploring a city that feels alive. Think of it like The Sims, but with way more questionable life choices and explosions. Late Gen Z? Some of the older characters like Michael, Franklin, and Trevor from GTA V won’t be back, so don’t go hunting for them.

Now, GTA 6 is bringing some major firsts. You finally get a female protagonist, Lucia, teamed with a guy named Jason. Bonnie-and-Clyde vibes, but with modern tech, streaming, and social media twists that make Vice City feel like it’s both familiar and brand new.

The gameplay is levelling up, too. Smarter cops, better physics, improved graphics, stealth options, and a revamped Wanted system mean your getaways need actual planning. Vice City itself is back, bigger than ever, with beaches, swamps, rivers, towns, and underwater spots—all set in the fictional state of Leonida. The map will expand over time with new missions and locations, keeping things fresh after launch.

The trailers show Lucia out of prison and Jason running small-time schemes. Side characters hand out missions, from Vice City legends to internet conspiracy nuts. Rockstar is keeping the signature GTA chaos while adding more alive-and-reacting NPCs, modern tech touches, and a dual-protagonist story that’s new for the series.

When in 2026 will GTA 6 be released?

Here’s the timeline so far:

• Feb 4, 2022 – Rockstar confirms GTA 6 is in development via Twitter. No release window yet.
• Dec 4, 2023 – First official announcement with a teaser trailer. Initial release aimed for 2025.
• May 2025 – Rockstar officially delays the game to May 26, 2026.
• Nov 2025 – Final release date confirmed for November 19, 2026.

After over a decade since GTA 5, fans have had to be patient. Rockstar cited the extra months as necessary to ensure the game meets their high standards. In a public statement, they said:

“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.”

A follow-up tweet clarified:

“Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realise 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.”

What platforms will the game be released on?

Take-Two, Rockstar’s parent company, confirmed that GTA 6 will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One aren’t mentioned, which makes sense—they’ll be over 13 years old when the game releases.

The press release also doesn’t mention a PC version. Rumours suggest the PC port could arrive up to a year after consoles, meaning players might not see GTA 6 on a gaming rig until late 2026 or even early 2027. It’s also possible the PC release may not happen at all.

This staggered approach isn’t unusual. Prior GTA releases often prioritised consoles first, giving developers more time to optimise a separate PC build.

Can I play GTA VI on my PC?

At launch, GTA 6 will not be available on PC. Rockstar is focusing on PS5 and Xbox Series X first. Part of the reason is technical: consoles have uniform hardware, while PCs vary wildly in graphics cards, processors, and other components. Ensuring a stable PC release requires extensive testing across multiple setups.

Sales also play a role. Historically, PlayStation has been the biggest seller for GTA titles. Prioritising consoles allows Rockstar to hit the largest audience first.

GTA Online will likely return alongside GTA 6, but it may remain separate from the single-player experience at launch. Rockstar hasn’t confirmed whether in-game progress, money, or items will carry over, though many players hope they will.

When it does arrive, PC players should expect high system requirements: an Intel Core i7 8700K or Ryzen 7 3700X, GeForce GTX 1080Ti or Radeon RX5700XT, Windows 10, DirectX 12, at least 8 GB RAM, and roughly 150 GB of storage.

Where can I purchase GTA VI?

GTA 6 hasn’t opened pre-orders yet. Rockstar is expected to reveal pre-order options in late 2025 or early 2026. When it does, there could be a collector’s edition and digital extras for early buyers.

No official price has been announced, but most analysts expect a standard AAA price around $69.99. With the rising cost of Triple-A games like Mario Kart World and The Outer Worlds 2 hitting $79.99, it’s possible GTA 6 could be slightly higher.

To wrap up

Delays like this aren’t unusual in entertainment. Animated movies and big-budget films often get pushed back to refine visuals, fix glitches, or tighten the story. GTA 6’s postponements reflect similar pressures—creating a massive, detailed world with complex systems takes time, and shortcuts would likely show in gameplay.