GTA 6 Release Pushed to May 2026

Rockstar has announced a delay for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, pushing its release date from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026. In their statement, Rockstar expressed regret for the delay and emphasized their commitment to delivering a top-quality gaming experience.

"We are very sorry that this is later than you expected," Rockstar said. "The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game. With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon."

While the statement confirms the new release date, it did not include any new assets, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the release of Trailer 2. Additionally, there was no mention of launch platforms, sparking speculation about a possible simultaneous release on PC alongside PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, Rockstar's parent company, had previously expressed confidence in meeting the fall 2025 deadline but acknowledged the risks of delays. In a recent note to the investment community on May 2, Zelnick reiterated support for the delay, stating, "We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations. While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence. As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders."

The delay of GTA 6 to May 2026 opens up the second half of 2025 for other major game releases. Titles like Gearbox's Borderlands 4, EA's Battlefield, Bungie's Marathon, and Sony's Ghost of Yotei may now find more room to breathe and succeed. Nintendo, preparing to launch the Switch 2, is also likely to benefit from the extended timeline. However, developers who had planned to launch their games around the original GTA 6 release window may need to adjust their strategies.