Rockstar Games has officially confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching on May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. After years of speculation, leaks, and one seriously early trailer drop, we finally have a release window—and yes, it's a bit later than fans had hoped.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

GTA 6 Release Date

The news came directly from Rockstar and was reinforced in Take-Two Interactive’s recent earnings call, which acknowledged that the game would miss its original 2025 window. The studio says it’s using the extra time to polish what’s already shaping up to be its most ambitious game yet. The date lines up with Rockstar’s usual Tuesday release strategy, and if history repeats, players in New Zealand might once again get a few hours' head start thanks to rolling midnight releases. Rockstar Games confirms the GTA 6 release date for May 2026 on consoles, with a PC release expected later.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

PC Release? Eventually — But Don’t Hold Your Breath

While console players now have a solid launch date to look forward to, Rockstar has stayed quiet on the PC release. That’s not exactly surprising. Rockstar has a long history of launching its biggest games on PC well after their console debuts—GTA V hit PC nearly 18 months after its console release, and Red Dead Redemption 2 followed a similar pattern.

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick hinted at the delay in a recent talk, saying Rockstar makes announcements “when they’re ready,” but also acknowledged the growing importance of PC in what used to be a console-dominated business. Translation: the PC version is definitely coming, just not anytime soon.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

Sorry, Game Pass Fans — GTA 6 Won’t Be Day One

If you were hoping GTA 6 might hit Game Pass on day one, it’s a no-go. Zelnick confirmed that Rockstar has no plans to include the game in any subscription service at launch. That tracks with the company’s strategy so far—none of Rockstar’s major games have launched on Game Pass or PS Plus day one, and GTA 6 isn’t breaking tradition.

That said, marketing for the game appears to be leaning heavily into PlayStation territory. Both trailers were captured on PS5 hardware, and one even showed a character holding a controller that looks suspiciously like a DualSense. While there’s no official word on a marketing deal with Sony, the signs are definitely there.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

Why the Delay? Rockstar Wants It Perfect

GTA 6 was initially expected in 2025, according to Take-Two’s financial forecasts, but Rockstar’s updated timeline pushes it into mid-2026. According to multiple sources, the game is feature-complete, meaning the delay is all about polish, bug squashing, and making sure the final product hits the studio’s high standards.

Former Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij chimed in after the announcement, noting that internal delays are often finalized closer to release. In other words, don’t expect this new May 2026 date to move again unless something seriously unexpected happens.

The extra time also gives Rockstar room to prepare for the massive marketing push that's sure to come. With pre-orders expected to top $1 billion, the game is already a commercial juggernaut—and it hasn’t even hit store shelves.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

Breaking Down the Trailers: Welcome Back to Vice City

The first official GTA 6 trailer dropped in December 2023 after a major leak forced Rockstar’s hand. That trailer confirmed a return to Vice City, introduced new protagonist Lucia, and showcased Rockstar’s signature blend of stylized satire and high-stakes storytelling.

The second trailer, released in May 2025, gave us a better look at the dual protagonists—Lucia and Jason—and the story they’re wrapped up in. We see Lucia in prison, hinting at a gritty origin story, and later, on the run with Jason in a series of Bonnie and Clyde-style escapades across the state of Leonida (Rockstar’s take on Florida).

It’s not just flashy beaches and neon skylines, though. The trailers are packed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details: gator attacks, viral livestreams, police chases, and a world that seems more alive—and more chaotic—than ever before. Vice City may be the centerpiece, but expect the map to be way bigger than what we saw in GTA V.

Major Leaks Didn’t Stop Progress

GTA 6’s development hasn’t been without drama. In September 2022, Rockstar suffered a major leak that exposed over 90 gameplay clips and internal development files. While the footage was early and unpolished, it gave fans their first real look at the Lucia and Jason duo, and confirmed the setting long before the trailers arrived.

The hacker responsible was later arrested, and Rockstar stated that development wouldn’t be impacted. Since then, smaller leaks have continued to pop up on platforms like TikTok and X/Twitter, with short clips allegedly showing new gameplay features and snippets of the evolving map.

What We Know About Gameplay So Far

Although Rockstar hasn’t done a full gameplay reveal yet, the leaked footage and trailer breakdowns give us a few clues. Lucia and Jason will likely be the only playable characters, but expect dynamic switching similar to GTA V. The game seems to be doubling down on realism with improved NPC behavior, upgraded combat mechanics, and new traversal options like crawling and crouching.

There are also hints at expanded driving physics, more destructible environments, and a potentially deeper roleplaying system—though Rockstar hasn’t confirmed any of these details officially. Rumors also point to a living map that could evolve over time, possibly through GTA Online updates or story expansions.

GTA 6 Release Date Locked for May 2026

New Faces, Familiar Chaos

Lucia and Jason aren’t just random criminals—they seem to have a deeper connection, both romantically and narratively. The trailers show them on the run, robbing stores, evading police, and living fast in the neon-lit chaos of Leonida. Supporting characters like Boobie Ike, Cal Hampton, and Real Dimez round out a world that looks filled with faction drama, influencer satire, and good old-fashioned Rockstar weirdness.

Expect the story to lean into modern themes—viral fame, economic frustration, and social media absurdity—while still delivering the high-octane action and irreverent humor fans expect.

The Bottom Line

GTA 6 is shaping up to be Rockstar’s biggest game yet, and the studio clearly wants it to hit the mark. With the release now locked in for May 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and a PC version expected sometime after, the wait is still long—but the destination looks worth it. Whether you're in it for the story, the world, or the chaos, GTA 6 is poised to redefine what open-world games can be. Now all that’s left is to wait—and maybe rewatch those trailers a few more times.