GTA 6 Delayed to May 2026

Rockstar has postponed the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26, 2026, pushing back from its original fall 2025 release window.

In an official statement, Rockstar expressed regret for the substantial delay to what's anticipated to be the largest entertainment launch in history.

"We sincerely apologize for missing our initial timeline," Rockstar stated. "The overwhelming enthusiasm for a new Grand Theft Auto has been deeply moving for our team. We appreciate your continued support as we work to perfect the game."

"With every release, we strive to surpass player expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is absolutely no exception. We believe this additional development time is necessary to achieve the level of quality our fans deserve."

"We look forward to sharing updates in the near future."

While Rockstar has confirmed the new GTA 6 release date, no additional assets were revealed, meaning fans must continue waiting for the second trailer. The statement also omitted platform details, sparking speculation about potential simultaneous PC and console releases (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S) in May 2026.

"Project timelines always carry some risk, and we avoid absolute guarantees to prevent tempting fate," Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two, told IGN when questioned about hitting the fall 2025 target last February. "However, we were very confident about our projections."

In a May 2 investor briefing, Zelnick endorsed the decision to shift GTA 6 into Take-Two's 2027 fiscal year:

"We fully support Rockstar's decision to extend development for Grand Theft Auto VI to realize their creative vision – a groundbreaking entertainment experience that will redefine player expectations."

"While we recognize the global anticipation surrounding this title, our commitment to quality remains unwavering. This move positions us for sustained growth and enhanced shareholder value."

The revised GTA 6 timeline creates opportunities for other major titles in late 2025. Games like Gearbox's Borderlands 4, EA's Battlefield, Bungie's Marathon, and Sony's Ghost of Yotei will benefit from reduced competition. Nintendo's Switch 2 launch also stands to gain from this schedule shift.

However, developers who accelerated projects to avoid the initial GTA 6 window may regret their decisions. Publishers planning mid-2026 releases will now need to reevaluate their launch strategies in light of Rockstar's juggernaut.