After more than a decade of waiting, Grand Theft Auto VI is finally close. Rockstar Games' next open-world game is the most anticipated release of 2026, and probably of the decade. This guide separates what Rockstar has actually confirmed from rumours and reports, so you know exactly what to expect.
The Grand Theft Auto series so far
GTA 6 is the first new main game in the series since GTA V in 2013. Here is how the series has grown since it began.
| Year | Game | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Grand Theft Auto | Liberty City, Vice City and San Andreas, seen from above |
| 1999 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | Anywhere City, a near-future city |
| 2001 | Grand Theft Auto III | Liberty City, the series' first full 3D world |
| 2002 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Vice City in the 1980s |
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | A whole state with three cities, in the early 1990s |
| 2008 | Grand Theft Auto IV | A more realistic, modern Liberty City |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | Los Santos and Blaine County, with three playable characters |
| 2026 | Grand Theft Auto VI | Modern Vice City and the state of Leonida |
GTA V became one of the best-selling video games of all time, and its online mode, GTA Online, has been updated for more than a decade. That success is a big part of why expectations for GTA 6 are so high.
When does GTA 6 come out?
GTA 6 releases on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Rockstar has not published an exact worldwide launch time, but PlayStation and Xbox store pages show the game unlocking at midnight local time. That means players in New Zealand and the Pacific are expected to get it first, with other regions following as midnight arrives in each time zone.
Which platforms is it on?
At launch, GTA 6 is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The PlayStation Store lists it as a PS5 Enhanced title, which means it has extra improvements on the PS5 Pro.
It is not coming to PS4 or Xbox One. It is also not launching on PC.
Is GTA 6 coming to PC?
Rockstar has not announced a PC version or date. That matches the company's history: GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 both reached PC many months after their console launches. Some recent reports suggest a PC release could come as early as the first quarter of 2027, but Rockstar has not confirmed this. If you only play on PC, the safest assumption is to expect a wait.
Why was GTA 6 delayed?
GTA 6 has been delayed twice:
| Stage | Planned release |
|---|---|
| First announcement | 2025 |
| First delay | 26 May 2026 |
| Second delay (announced November 2025) | 19 November 2026 |
Rockstar said the extra time was needed to deliver the level of quality players expect. Rumours of a third delay into 2027 have circulated repeatedly, but as of late October 2026 the official date remains 19 November. Several other publishers have even moved their own games away from that date to avoid competing with it.
Where is GTA 6 set?
The game returns to a modern-day Vice City, Rockstar's version of Miami, which first appeared in 2002's GTA: Vice City. This time it is part of a much larger fictional state called Leonida, inspired by Florida. Trailers have shown packed beaches, neon nightlife, swamps, small towns and highways, which suggests a map with very different areas to explore.
Why is GTA 6 taking so long?
There are more than 13 years between GTA V and GTA 6, the longest gap between main games in the series. A few things explain why:
- GTA Online kept growing. GTA V's online mode stayed hugely popular for over a decade, and Rockstar kept adding free updates, which took a lot of the studio's time.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 came first. Rockstar's huge western launched in 2018 and was a massive project for the same studios.
- The scale is enormous. Rockstar is known for packing worlds with detail: crowds with their own routines, realistic weather and lighting, and thousands of lines of dialogue. That takes years of work by large teams around the world.
- A major leak. In September 2022, early development footage of GTA 6 leaked online in one of the biggest leaks in gaming history. Rockstar confirmed the leak and said it would not affect development, but it showed how closely the world was watching.
Whatever the reasons, Rockstar has a strong track record. Its last two games, GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, are both among the best-reviewed and best-selling games ever made, which is why so many players are happy to wait.
Single-player first, online later
If reports are correct and the online mode arrives in 2027, launch day will be a rare chance to enjoy a Rockstar world without the chaos of online play. Many fans see that as a good thing: you can explore Leonida, follow Lucia and Jason's story and learn the map at your own pace before the online crowds arrive.
Who are the main characters?
For the first time in the main series, GTA 6 has two lead characters who are a couple: Lucia and Jason. Lucia is also the first female protagonist in a mainline GTA game since the series moved to 3D. The trailers present the pair as partners in crime, in a story with clear Bonnie and Clyde influences.
What the trailers have shown
Rockstar released the first GTA 6 trailer in December 2023. It was published a day earlier than planned after it leaked online, and it went on to break YouTube viewing records for a non-music video in its first day. A second trailer followed on 6 May 2025.
Together, the trailers show:
- Lucia's introduction in a prison setting, followed by scenes of her and Jason planning robberies together.
- A modern, social-media-style world, with in-game clips that look like viral phone videos, poking fun at modern online culture the way earlier games mocked TV and radio.
- A wide range of places: neon city streets, crowded beaches, the Florida-style Keys, swamps with airboats, small towns and open highways.
- Very detailed crowds and lighting, with lots of people, vehicles and wildlife on screen at once.
Rockstar has kept most gameplay details secret, so features such as the exact size of the map, the number of missions and how switching between Lucia and Jason works have not been officially explained.
Will GTA 6 run well on my console?
GTA 6 is built only for the current generation of consoles, which is one reason it is not coming to PS4 or Xbox One. Here is what to expect on each machine based on how Rockstar's games and other big releases usually work:
- PS5 Pro: listed as PS5 Enhanced, meaning Rockstar has added improvements for the more powerful console, typically sharper image quality or smoother performance.
- PS5 and Xbox Series X: the standard versions of the game.
- Xbox Series S: the smaller, cheaper Xbox usually runs big games at a lower resolution than the Series X, but the game itself is the same.
Rockstar has not published official resolution or frame-rate figures, so take any numbers you see online with caution until reviews and technical analyses are published around launch.
What about GTA Online?
According to reports from Bloomberg, a new online mode for GTA 6 is planned for 2027 rather than launch day. Rockstar has not announced an official date for online multiplayer, so the launch on 19 November is expected to focus on the single-player story.
What we still do not know
Even this close to launch, Rockstar has kept many details under wraps. These are the biggest open questions, and we will update this page when they are answered officially:
- the exact worldwide unlock time and the download size,
- how large the map is compared with GTA V,
- how switching between Lucia and Jason works during missions,
- official resolution and frame-rate targets for each console,
- when, and in what form, the new online mode will arrive.
If you see a confident answer to any of these on social media before Rockstar confirms it, treat it as speculation.
How much will GTA 6 cost?
Rockstar has not officially confirmed the final price in every region at the time of writing. Various reports have mentioned a standard edition around US$80 and a more expensive Ultimate edition, but treat these figures as unconfirmed until you see the price on the official PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store or Rockstar website. Prices in India and other countries will differ.
Huge launches attract fake websites. GTA 6 is not available on PC, Android or iPhone, and there is no free "GTA 6 APK" or early download. Any site offering one is trying to steal your account details or install malware. Only buy from the official console stores or Rockstar.
How to get ready for launch day
- Free up storage: Rockstar games are very large. Clear space on your console before launch.
- Pre-load if you pre-order: digital pre-orders on consoles usually allow downloading before launch, so you can play as soon as it unlocks.
- Update your console: install system updates early so you are not stuck downloading on launch night.
- Avoid spoilers: mute keywords on social media during launch week.
What to play while you wait
If the last few weeks feel long, these games will keep you busy and put you in the right mood for Vice City:
- Grand Theft Auto V: still one of the best open worlds ever made, and available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with improved graphics.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Rockstar's 2018 western shows the attention to detail and storytelling to expect from GTA 6.
- GTA: Vice City, included in the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition collection, lets you visit the original 1980s version of the city before the new one arrives.
- Free driving games in your browser: if you just want to drive fast for a few minutes, try a racing game on Pikashowsgames, with nothing to download.
GTA 6 myths to ignore
- "There is a free GTA 6 download for PC or Android."
- "You can play early with a beta code."
- "A secret PC version is already out."
- GTA 6 is only for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch.
- Rockstar has not announced any public beta.
- No PC version has been announced.
Finally, remember that launch week will be busy for servers and stores. If the download is slow on the first night, it is not a problem with your console. Start the download early, be patient, and enjoy the wait: it has been a long one.
Other big games around GTA 6
Several publishers have moved their releases away from 19 November, but November and December are still packed. See our full list of upcoming games for November and December 2026, plus this week's gaming news roundup.
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