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Timeline

GTA 6 timeline: from the first confirmation to launch and beyond

GTA Explained editorial team · Published

Image: Rockstar Games

Every major GTA 6 moment, from the first confirmation in 2022 to the launch on November 19, 2026, with what comes next. Each entry shows whether it is confirmed, reported, a rumor or only expected.

Coming up

  1. Take-Two reports second-quarter results (call 4:30 PM ET) Confirmed Take-Two Interactive
  2. Xbox Series X|S pre-load opens worldwide (7 PM ET on Nov 9) Confirmed Rockstar Games Newswire
  3. PS5 pre-load opens at local midnight, New Zealand first Confirmed PlayStation Blog
  4. Code-in-box copies reach stores, allowing pre-load Confirmed Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games press release)
  5. Review embargo reportedly lifts (rumor) Rumor Insider Gaming
  6. First unlock: New Zealand at local midnight (6 AM ET on Nov 18) Confirmed Rockstar Games Customer Support
  7. Miami Heat host 'A Night in Vice City' against the Milwaukee Bucks on ESPN Confirmed ESPN
  8. UK unlock at midnight (7 PM ET on Nov 18) Confirmed Rockstar Games Customer Support
  9. GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S Confirmed Rockstar Games
  10. GTA 6 soundtrack album out on launch day Reported NBC Miami
  11. US and Canada unlock at midnight Eastern (9 PM PT on Nov 18, reported for PS5) Reported Kotaku
  12. Pre-order bonus window closes (purchases made before Nov 20) Confirmed Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games press release)
  13. The Game Awards 2026 eligibility cutoff Confirmed TechPowerUp
  14. Black Friday: retailer offers and console bundles possible, no GTA 6 discount announced Expected Timesaver.gg
  15. Possible first sales-milestone announcement (expected, not scheduled) Expected GameSpot
  16. The Game Awards 2026 nominees announced (date not announced) Expected
  17. The Game Awards 2026 at the Peacock Theater, Los Angeles Confirmed KitGuru
  18. Justice score album for GTA 6 out Reported Music Week
  19. Take-Two third-quarter results, the first quarter including launch (expected early February) Expected Business Wire (Take-Two Interactive)
  20. Take-Two full-year results and fiscal 2028 guidance (expected mid-to-late May) Expected Take-Two Interactive
  21. First anniversary of GTA 6's launch Expected
  22. Reported PC release window: first quarter of 2027 (not announced) Reported GamesBeat
  23. Online mode suggested for 2027 (not announced) Rumor Beebom

What has happened so far

  1. Rockstar publishes a Launch Gallery of nearly 40 new screenshots Confirmed Rockstar Games
  2. Take-Two's CEO discusses GTA 6's delay, budget and piracy at WSJ Tech Confirmed GTA BOOM
  3. Rockstar moves pre-load up to November 10 and gives a 212 GB size Confirmed Rockstar Games Newswire
  4. More leaked GTA 6 footage circulates, some apparently from a debug build Reported Wikipedia
  5. Insider says review code is out with a November 18 embargo Reported NateTheHate on X
  6. Launch Trailer released Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  7. The Game Awards confirm GTA 6 is eligible for 2026 Confirmed IGN on X
  8. GamesBeat reports a first-quarter 2027 PC release Reported GamesBeat
  9. Store listings reveal the regional midnight unlock schedule Reported Kotaku
  10. 'An Extended Look' tops Netflix with 31.1 million views in four days Reported iPhone in Canada
  11. 'An Extended Look' goes up free on YouTube and the official site Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  12. 'An Extended Look' premieres on Netflix Confirmed Netflix Tudum
  13. Take-Two seeks DMCA subpoenas over the Cyberleek leak Reported TorrentFreak
  14. 'Cyberleek' account posts leaked GTA 6 footage tied to a crypto token Reported TorrentFreak
  15. Take-Two reports first-quarter fiscal 2027 results and calls pre-orders exceptional Confirmed Take-Two Interactive
  16. Rockstar announces 'An Extended Look' for Netflix on August 27 Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  17. Invited creators see GTA 6 hands-off at Rockstar North Reported GTA BOOM
  18. Pre-orders open at midnight local time Confirmed Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games press release)
  19. Rockstar announces prices, editions and the pre-order bonus Confirmed Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games press release)
  20. Cover art revealed and pre-orders dated for June 25 Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  21. Take-Two reports fiscal 2026 results and guides fiscal 2027 to $8.0-8.2 billion Confirmed Take-Two Interactive
  22. Take-Two reports second-quarter fiscal 2026 results Confirmed Business Wire (Take-Two Interactive)
  23. Second delay: launch moves to November 19, 2026 Confirmed Rockstar Games Newswire
  24. Rockstar says Trailer 2 drew 475 million views in 24 hours Confirmed Video Games Chronicle
  25. Trailer 2 released with 70 screenshots and character pages Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  26. First delay: launch moves to May 26, 2026 Confirmed Insider Gaming
  27. Take-Two narrows the launch window to fall 2025 Confirmed Gematsu
  28. Trailer 1 sets YouTube 24-hour viewing records Confirmed Guinness World Records
  29. Trailer 1 comes out early after a leak and sets a 2025 window Confirmed Rockstar Games (YouTube)
  30. Take-Two floods platforms with takedowns of the leaked footage Reported TechSpot
  31. Hacker posts about 90 early development videos of GTA 6 Confirmed TechSpot
  32. Rockstar confirms the next Grand Theft Auto is in development Confirmed Video Games Chronicle
Sources (32)

How to read the timeline

“Coming up” lists future dates with the soonest first. “What has happened so far” runs the other way, newest first, so the latest news sits at the top. Each entry links to its main source, and more are listed under Sources.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Each label describes that entry. Reported means a credible outlet reported it, but it isn’t official. Expected entries are our own estimates from past patterns, such as when Take-Two usually reports its results, and they only become Confirmed once a date is announced. Rumor entries, like the rumored review embargo, keep that label until Rockstar or Take-Two confirms them.
  • Some dates are partial. When only the month or the year is known, that’s all we show.
  • Dates are local to the event. The first unlock, in New Zealand, is listed on November 19, even though it’s still November 18 in the Americas at that moment. The list follows real time, so that entry can sit above events dated November 18.
  • Minor items are left out to keep the list readable.

Two delays, then one date

The release target moved twice: from fall 2025 to May 2026, and then, with Rockstar citing the need for extra polish, to November 19, 2026. That date has held since, and Rockstar and Sony repeated it when they announced pre-load on November 3.

Leaks on the timeline

Leaks appear only as events. We note that a leak happened and how Rockstar or Take-Two responded, but we never show, link to or describe leaked material. Our editorial policy explains why.

TrailersWatch every official GTA 6 video from Rockstar, from Trailer 1 to the Launch Trailer, with dates and view records. Videos load only when you press play.Release timeGTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on November 19, 2026. See your exact unlock time, a live countdown, and unlock times for cities around the world.PC versionRockstar hasn't announced GTA 6 for PC. See the official status, the reported release window, how past Rockstar games came to PC, and what to watch next.