Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 to May 26, 2026. Originally slated for Fall 2025, the much-anticipated title now has a firm launch date but no new trailer or screenshots to accompany the update. Rockstar cited the need for additional development time to ensure the game meets its high-quality standards on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
In a statement, the studio apologized for the delay, saying, “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The excitement around GTA 6 has been humbling. We thank you for your support and patience as we work to finish the game.”
Rockstar emphasized its commitment to delivering a polished product, noting that the delay would allow the team to fine-tune the game to meet fan expectations. “With every release, our goal is to exceed your expectations. GTA 6 is no exception,” the company added.
The delay comes as no surprise to industry watchers, given Rockstar’s history of pushing back major releases — including GTA 5 and GTA 4 in the past. Since the first trailer dropped in December 2023, there has been no new official content or gameplay reveals, heightening speculation about a possible delay.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously stated that maintaining anticipation without prematurely revealing dates was part of their strategy. He recently told Bloomberg, “We want to maintain the excitement while balancing it with unmet anticipation. We don’t always get it exactly right, but that’s our approach.”
The shift to a 2026 release opens up the gaming calendar, allowing other titles like Borderlands 4 (now launching September 12) and Sony’s Ghost of Yotei (set for October 2) to gain momentum without clashing with GTA 6.
More updates — possibly including a new trailer — are expected later this year.