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Release time

GTA 6 release time: when it unlocks in your time zone

GTA Explained editorial team · Published · Updated

Image: Rockstar Games

GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on Thursday November 19, 2026, on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Confirmed

New Zealand goes first: midnight there is Nov 18, 11:00 UTC (Wed, Nov 18, 6:00 AM in New York).

In the US and Canada, PS5 reportedly unlocks at midnight Eastern for everyone, which is Wed, Nov 18, 9:00 PM on the West Coast. Reported

Your time zone: …

GTA 6 unlocks for you on: …

–days
–hours
–minutes
–seconds

GTA 6 unlock times around the world

CityUnlocks (local time)UTCStatus
AucklandThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 11:00 UTCConfirmed
SydneyThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 13:00 UTCConfirmed
TokyoThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 15:00 UTCConfirmed
DubaiThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 20:00 UTCConfirmed
RiyadhThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 21:00 UTCConfirmed
BerlinThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 18, 23:00 UTCConfirmed
LondonThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 19, 00:00 UTCConfirmed
São PauloThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 19, 03:00 UTCConfirmed
New YorkThu, Nov 19, 12:00 AMNov 19, 05:00 UTCReported
Los AngelesPS5: Wed, Nov 18, 9:00 PM
Xbox: Thu, Nov 19, 12:00 AM		Nov 19, 05:00 UTCReported

Calculated from Rockstar's midnight-local rule. For US cities, the PS5 time is the reported midnight-Eastern unlock. The Xbox time follows local midnight, but some outlets report midnight Eastern for US Xbox too, and neither Rockstar nor Microsoft has confirmed it.

Sources (14) · Facts checked: November 7, 2026

How the midnight rule works

Rockstar’s rule is simple: the game unlocks at midnight on release day in each region’s local time. Players in New Zealand, one of the first time zones to reach a new day, get in first. Each region follows as midnight moves west around the world.

The countdown above uses your device’s time zone, so it shows your own unlock moment. If your PlayStation or Xbox account belongs to a different country from where you live, your store’s region decides the timing.

Why some US players may start earlier

Store listings and several outlets report that PS5 players across the US and Canada unlock GTA 6 at the same moment: midnight Eastern. That would put the West Coast start on the evening of November 18. Rockstar hasn’t confirmed this, so it’s labeled “Reported” until it does.

Get ready before unlock time

You can’t play before your unlock time, but you can download the game in advance so it’s ready to start. See download size and pre-load for dates and a quick storage check.

Download sizeHow much free space GTA 6 needs on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, when pre-load starts, the console settings it needs, and what the code-in-box copy means.PriceGTA 6 prices in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, what the Ultimate Edition adds, and when the pre-order bonus ends.PlatformsGTA 6 launches only on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. A clear yes, no or not announced for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch 2, phones, cloud and Game Pass.