Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year, will now launch on 26 May 2026. The game was previously expected to arrive in 2025, following the release of its first official trailer in 2023.

In a statement published on May 2, the studio addressed the delay directly, thanking fans for their ongoing support and patience. Rockstar acknowledged that the updated release window may disappoint some, but insisted that the additional time is necessary to meet the expectations surrounding the next instalment in its flagship series.

"We are very sorry that this is later than you expected," the company wrote. "We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

The announcement follows growing speculation online about a potential delay, amid limited updates since the game's original teaser. According to Rockstar, Grand Theft Auto VI will be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. 

As per Rockstar, GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, a setting widely interpreted as a reimagined version of Florida. The studio has described it as "the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet."

Anticipation for GTA VI has remained high since the unprecedented success of Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold more than 210 million copies since its debut in 2013. That title's enduring popularity helped fuel expectations that its successor would set a new benchmark in open-world gaming. While Rockstar has yet to release further gameplay details of GTA VI, the company stated that more information will be shared "soon."

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