Fans of the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto series have been dealt another disappointing blow as Rockstar Games confirms a further delay for the hotly-anticipated sixth instalment.
What is the new Grand Theft Auto 6 release date?
In a surprise announcement made on November 6, 2025, the developer revealed that Grand Theft Auto VI will now launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026. This marks the second significant postponement for the title, which was originally slated for a 2025 release before being moved to Spring 2026.
The latest shift means the game's arrival has been pushed from the originally planned spring window to the winter of 2026, adding more than a year to the wait that fans have already endured since the last main series entry was released nearly 13 years ago.
Rockstar's apology and reasoning
Rockstar Games issued a public apology to its patient community via a social media post. The studio directly addressed the extended development time, stating: "We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve."
The message went on to thank fans for their continued support and reiterated the team's excitement for players to eventually explore the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to a modern-day rendition of Vice City.
A history of Rockstar delays
This is not the first time Rockstar has pushed back a major release. The studio has a track record of delaying games to ensure quality, most notably with Red Dead Redemption 2. That title was initially delayed from its 2017 launch window and eventually released in late 2018.
While frustrating for eager gamers, this pattern of postponements has typically resulted in highly polished, critically acclaimed final products, suggesting the additional development time for GTA VI is aimed at meeting the immense expectations surrounding the project.
