GTA 6 Release Date Rumors Explode—New Leak Points to 2025 Launch

Rockstar Games has officially pushed the GTA 6 release date to 26 May 2026, confirming months-long industry whispers about production running behind schedule. The developer apologized for the delay but promised “the most ambitious Grand Theft Auto ever,” igniting a fresh wave of hype around Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). Why the date matters • Eight-plus years have passed since GTA 5’s last‐gen launch, making GTA 6 the longest gap between major entries in series history. • Take-Two Interactive’s FY 2026 revenue forecast still leans heavily on GTA 6, so investors and fans alike were looking for a firm window. • May 26 falls on Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., a holiday corridor that historically boosts entertainment spending. Confirmed platforms Rockstar reaffirmed that GTA 6 will debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S first. A PC version remains “under consideration,” repeating the staggered strategy used for GTA 4, GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. Pre-orders and editions Retail listings leaked within hours of the announcement, pointing to three editions: Standard, Special (with single-player story DLC voucher) and Ultimate (bundling GTA Online 2 currency and early access cosmetics). Rockstar has not commented, but insiders expect pre-orders to open during The Game Awards 2025. What’s finished—and what isn’t Sources tell Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier that core story missions are content-complete, while world-event scripting, extensive QA and next-gen online infrastructure are the remaining bottlenecks. Employees reportedly doubted the originally rumored 2025 window as early as last year. Trailer 2 timeframe A second trailer is “locked for early spring 2026,” but Rockstar could share a smaller gameplay slice this December to keep buzz alive. Expect a deeper look at dual protagonists Lucia and Jason, the expanded Vice City map and next-level crowd simulation. Will GTA Online 2 launch day-and-date? Rockstar hinted the evolved online mode will “arrive alongside or shortly after the single-player experience.” Analysts predict a staggered rollout: Story launch on 26 May 2026, followed by Online 2 in Q3 to give single-player sales room to breathe. PC gamers: a likely 2027 wait Every modern Rockstar blockbuster has hit PC 12-18 months after consoles. Unless history breaks, GTA 6 PC could slide into late 2027 with ray-tracing upgrades and mod support out of the gate. How to stay updated • Follow Rockstar’s Newswire for official posts. • Sign up for email alerts via the Social Club. • Watch Take-Two’s quarterly earnings calls; the publisher usually reaffirms release targets there. Bottom line The new 26 May 2026 GTA 6 release date gives Rockstar nearly two more years to polish its most anticipated title yet. While the delay tests player patience, the studio’s track record suggests the wait will pay off in a bigger, bolder Grand Theft Auto that sets new open-world standards.