GTA 6 Release Date and Timeline: Every Official Rockstar Announcement

Grand Theft Auto VI has had one of the longest, most closely watched build-ups in gaming history. Between a single reveal trailer, a hard release-date change, and Rockstar's decision to hand its first real gameplay look to Netflix instead of YouTube, it's easy to lose track of what's actually confirmed versus what's a leak or a guess. Here's the official record, announcement by announcement, straight from Rockstar's own channels.

• Release date: November 19, 2026 (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S)
• Setting: Vice City and the wider state of Leonida
• Protagonists: Jason and Lucia
• Preorders: open since June 25, 2026; Ultimate Edition at $100

When was GTA 6 first announced?

Rockstar Games ended over a decade of silence on December 4, 2023, with a single trailer confirming Grand Theft Auto VI was real. It named Vice City as the setting, introduced protagonists Jason and Lucia, and pointed to a 2025 release window.

What was the original GTA 6 release date?

Almost two years after the reveal, Rockstar attached an actual calendar date to the game for the first time in November 2025: May 26, 2026.

Was GTA 6 delayed?

Yes. The May 2026 date didn't hold, and Rockstar pushed the release back, following the same pattern as most of its recent titles: an ambitious first date, then a later, final one closer to launch.

When did GTA 6 preorders open?

With a new date locked in, preorders went live on June 25, 2026. The Ultimate Edition is priced at $100, putting GTA VI at the higher end of current AAA pricing.

What was shown in the Netflix gameplay reveal?

On August 27, 2026, Rockstar skipped the traditional gameplay trailer and partnered with Netflix for a 26-minute extended look, the first real footage of Jason and Lucia in motion. It showed Vice City's streets, a nightclub sequence, and a glimpse of the game's heist structure, and it instantly became the most-discussed GTA VI moment since the original reveal. Reactions were split, particularly over Jason's characterization and how the tone compares to GTA V.

What is the confirmed GTA 6 release date now?

Rockstar has locked in November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. That's the final, official date, replacing the earlier May 2026 target.

What hasn't Rockstar confirmed?

In the days around the Netflix reveal, three separate pieces of unofficial gameplay footage circulated online, reportedly showing Vice City Beach, a nightclub interior, and a heist sequence. None of it has been confirmed or acknowledged by Rockstar. We're flagging it here precisely because it hasn't been verified: see our information-status badges throughout the site for the difference between what's confirmed and what's still a rumor.

We'll keep this page and our news coverage updated as Rockstar confirms anything new between now and November 19.