Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) will now launch on 19 November 2026, marking the second delay for one of the most highly anticipated video games in history.
The sequel was originally planned for autumn 2025, before being pushed back to May 2026. Now, Rockstar says it needs “extra months” to deliver the level of polish fans “expect and deserve.”
In a statement released Thursday, the studio apologized for “adding additional time” to the long wait and thanked fans for their continued patience.
“We’re incredibly excited for players to experience Leonida and the modern-day Vice City,” Rockstar said, referring to the game’s Florida-inspired setting.
A Decade-Long Wait
The last major entry, Grand Theft Auto 5, was released in 2013 and remains the second best-selling video game of all time. Despite being 12 years old, its online mode continues to attract millions of players worldwide.
GTA 6 has already generated massive excitement, with its trailers breaking view records. The second trailer, released in May, revealed more about the story’s protagonists—Jason and Lucia, a criminal duo navigating the world of Leonida.
Studio Controversy
The delay comes just days after Rockstar’s UK studios laid off 31 employees.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) claims the dismissals were an attempt to block unionization efforts.
Protesters gathered outside the company’s offices in London and Edinburgh on Thursday, demanding fair treatment for workers.
Rockstar’s Track Record
Rockstar is known for delaying its releases to meet high standards of quality. Its last major title, Red Dead Redemption 2, was postponed by about a year before its 2018 release—and went on to win widespread acclaim.
Analysts expect GTA 6 to be one of the most expensive games ever made, potentially exceeding $2 billion in development and marketing costs. Despite the delays, experts believe it will likely break sales records once released.
Whether it will meet the enormous expectations of fans, however, remains to be seen.
