Rockstar Games has officially announced that the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on May 26, 2026. This was revealed in a statement released on Friday morning.
The new launch date means that the game will not meet the previously indicated 2025 release target, which was communicated when the first trailer debuted in late 2023. Rockstar stated that the delay will allow the team to ensure the game meets the high quality expectations of players.
In its announcement, Rockstar expressed regret for the extended wait, acknowledging the significant interest and enthusiasm surrounding the new installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. The company thanked fans for their patience and support as it continues its development process.
An Extended Anticipation
While the news of the delay is likely to disappoint fans, it was not entirely unexpected. Industry insiders had been indicating for some time that the 2025 release date seemed increasingly improbable.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier noted on Bluesky that conversations with individuals at Rockstar had led him to conclude that a Fall 2025 release was unrealistic. He cited the substantial work still required and management’s desire to avoid excessive crunch as factors contributing to the game’s postponement to 2026.
The announcement means that the gap between the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI and the release of its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, will span a staggering 4,634 days. In comparison, only 1,967 days separated the release of Grand Theft Auto V from Grand Theft Auto IV, which came out on April 29, 2008.
Since its release, Grand Theft Auto V has sold an incredible 210 million copies, driven largely by the ongoing success of Grand Theft Auto Online, which has generated significant revenue for Take Two. Despite its enduring popularity, the online mode has faced challenges due to outdated code, leading to issues with cheaters and hackers.
Initially, Rockstar’s announcement in 2023 did not mention a PC version for Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, the company later confirmed that a PC port would be available eventually. Given Rockstar’s history of delays in PC releases, including for Grand Theft Auto V, PC players may have to wait longer than console users to access the new installment.
Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously indicated that Rockstar typically rolls out releases for some platforms before expanding to others, which raises further questions about the timing of a potential PC version. Moreover, there is currently no information regarding a version of Grand Theft Auto VI for the anticipated Switch 2, which was not even rumored when the game was announced in 2023.
In 2022, Rockstar experienced a “network intrusion” that led to an early leak of footage from Grand Theft Auto VI. The company expressed disappointment over the incident but reaffirmed its commitment to delivering an unparalleled gaming experience to its players.
