The road to GTA 6 has been long, and this is the full timeline: every confirmed milestone from Rockstar’s first words about the game in 2022 through the leaks, the trailers, two delays, and the November 19, 2026 launch. The dates here are the official ones, and we update this page as new milestones land.
Key Takeaways
- Rockstar confirmed GTA 6 was in active development on February 4, 2022.
- The first trailer arrived December 4, 2023, a day early after it leaked online.
- The game was delayed twice in 2025: first to May 26, 2026, then to November 19, 2026.
- Pre-orders open June 25, 2026, and launch is November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.
2022: Confirmation and the biggest leak in gaming
On February 4, 2022, Rockstar confirmed that active development on the next Grand Theft Auto was well underway. It was the first official word after years of silence. Then on September 18, 2022, the game was hit by what is widely called the largest leak in video game history, with around 90 in-progress development clips posted online. Rockstar confirmed the leak was real and said it would not slow development.
2023: The first trailer
The first GTA 6 trailer was set for December 5, 2023, but after it leaked a day early, Rockstar released it officially on December 4. The roughly 90 second trailer, set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is a Long Road,” confirmed the return to Vice City, a modern-day setting, and two protagonists, including Lucia. See how the cast filled out in our confirmed characters guide.
2024 and 2025: A second trailer, then the first delay
Through 2024, Take-Two continued to point to a 2025 launch window. In 2025, Rockstar released a second trailer that expanded the look at the state of Leonida and its dual leads, Jason and Lucia. Then came the news fans dreaded. On May 2, 2025, Rockstar announced the first delay, moving the release to May 26, 2026, to give the game more polish.
Late 2025: The second delay
On November 6, 2025, Rockstar announced a second delay, pushing the date from May 26, 2026 to November 19, 2026. The studio said the extra months would let it finish the game to the standard fans expect. That November 19 date is the one that stands today. We keep the latest on our release date page.
2026: Cover art, pre-orders, and launch
In June 2026, Rockstar revealed the official cover art and confirmed that pre-orders open June 25, 2026. That is the next big date on the calendar, and it is when prices and edition tiers are revealed. Our pre-order tracker flips live the moment the buttons go up.
What is still ahead
Two dates matter now: pre-orders on June 25, 2026, and the launch on November 19, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X and S. There is still no PC version announced, so treat any PC timing as speculation, which we cover in our PC release guide. For the short version of everything, see our GTA 6 FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was GTA 6 announced?
Rockstar confirmed active development on February 4, 2022, and released the first trailer on December 4, 2023.
Why was GTA 6 delayed?
Rockstar delayed the game twice in 2025, first to May 26, 2026 and then to November 19, 2026, citing the time needed to finish it to its quality standard.
When does GTA 6 come out?
November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S. Pre-orders open June 25, 2026.
How many GTA 6 trailers are there?
Two so far: the first in December 2023 and a second in 2025 that expanded the look at Leonida.