Summary
- GTA 6 was initially scheduled for Fall 2025 but has been delayed.
- The new official release date is May 26, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Rockstar cited polish, scale, and quality assurance as reasons for the delay.
- A PC release is expected later, following Rockstar’s past rollout patterns.
- GTA 6 will not launch on PS4 or Xbox One, focusing solely on next-gen hardware.
GTA 6 Release Date: What’s Official and What Changed
When Rockstar Games first revealed Grand Theft Auto VI, the target launch window communicated by its parent company Take-Two Interactive was Fall 2025. That timeline was set during Take-Two’s financial disclosures as part of their roadmap for the GTA franchise.
The 2025 window was seen as ambitious but feasible, Rockstar signaled confidence in internal milestones and developmental progress.
Delay and the New Launch Date
In May 2025, Rockstar confirmed a delay and announced a firm release date of May 26, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This marked a shift from the previously anticipated Fall 2025 window. The delay was framed as necessary to ensure the game meets quality and polish expectations.
As of the announcement, no simultaneous PC launch date was confirmed; PC is expected to arrive sometime after the console launch.
Why the Delay?
Several factors contribute to understanding this shift:
- Quality assurance and polish: Rockstar has historically delayed games to allow more time for refinement, bug fixing, and optimization.
- Scale and complexity: GTA 6’s expansive open world, dual protagonists, social media elements, dynamic systems, and cutting-edge visuals demand time to stabilize.
- Internal scheduling and resource allocation: With multiple projects in Rockstar’s portfolio, aligning milestones and staffing can influence timelines.
- Marketing and launch pacing: With such a high-stakes title, timing the announcement, hype window, and lead-up is critical.
Even before the official delay, some industry insiders and journalists had flagged concerns that Fall 2025 might be overly tight given the game’s ambition.
What About PC and Other Platforms?
- PC release is not confirmed at launch. Based on past Rockstar pricing patterns and release strategies (e.g., GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2), a PC version will likely follow, potentially within 6 to 18 months after console launch.
- There is no indication GTA 6 will release on older consoles (PS4 / Xbox One) at any point.
How the Industry and Fans Reacted
- The delay was met with disappointment from some fans, but also understanding, given Rockstar’s reputation for delivering polished titles.
- Take-Two’s stock experienced some fluctuation following the announcement, reflecting investor sensitivity to timing of high-profile releases.
- Some rival publishers may adjust scheduling to avoid competing in Rockstar’s quieter windows or in the shadow of GTA 6’s hype.
Final Word: Date Locked – Now Comes Delivery
The official and current release date for Grand Theft Auto VI on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is May 26, 2026. That date replaced prior Fall 2025 estimates. A PC version remains likely but unspecified as of now.
Rockstar and Take-Two have now anchored expectations, and the next big milestones will be beta announcements, marketing campaigns, preorders, and technical reveals leading up to that May 2026 launch.
