Release & Editions
GTA 6 Delays Timeline
GTA 6 was first set for fall 2025, delayed to May 26, 2026, then delayed again to November 19, 2026. Here is the full timeline from announcement to launch.
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GTA 6 has been delayed twice: first from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, then from May 26, 2026 to November 19, 2026. This timeline walks through every major milestone for Grand Theft Auto VI, from the first trailer to launch.
Two delays can sound worrying, but for a game this size they are not unusual. Rockstar delayed both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 before release.
When was GTA 6 originally supposed to come out?
GTA 6 was first announced with a 2025 release window. That target held through the first trailer and into early 2025, with fall 2025 as the expected window.
How many times has GTA 6 been delayed?
GTA 6 has been delayed two times. Here is the full timeline:
- December 5, 2023: Trailer 1 releases a day early after leaking, confirming Vice City, Leonida and a 2025 window.
- 2025: Rockstar moves the release from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026.
- May 6, 2025: Trailer 2 arrives with character and location profiles on the official site.
- Second delay: Rockstar moves the game from May 26, 2026 to November 19, 2026.
- June 25, 2026: Pre-orders open with the Standard and Ultimate Editions.
- October 15, 2026: The launch trailer releases.
- November 12, 2026: Digital preloading opens.
- November 19, 2026: GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Why was GTA 6 delayed?
Rockstar framed both delays around giving the game the time it needs to meet expectations. The team has a long track record of taking extra time to polish its open worlds.
We expect much of that time went into the level of detail seen in the trailers: dense crowds, wildlife, interiors and the busy streets of Vice City. Our new features page covers what that extra work may have produced.
Will GTA 6 be delayed again?
We think another delay is very unlikely. Pre-orders are live, the launch trailer is out and the preload date is set for November 12. At this stage, games are typically finished and being prepared for launch.
How long did fans wait for GTA 6?
GTA 5 launched in September 2013, so the wait for a new mainline entry will be just over 13 years by November 2026. That is the longest gap between numbered GTA games by far. Our GTA timeline puts it in the context of the whole series.
FAQ
How many times was GTA 6 delayed?
Twice. It moved from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, and then to November 19, 2026.
What is the final GTA 6 release date?
GTA 6 releases on November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Will GTA 6 be delayed again?
It is very unlikely. Pre-orders, the launch trailer and the November 12 preload date all point to a locked release.
When was GTA 6 first revealed?
Trailer 1 released on December 5, 2023, a day earlier than planned after it leaked online.
