5/26/26. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? That’s the official release date for Grand Theft Auto VI, confirmed by Rockstar Games on Friday — seemingly out of nowhere. While fans finally have a date to circle on the calendar, it also confirms what many feared: GTA 6 has been delayed.
Until now, Rockstar had kept the release window a mystery, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick saying they’d reveal the date only when launch was near. Still, many expected a late 2025 release, likely this fall. Now, we know it’s been pushed to May 2026 — a six-month delay from those expectations.
In a statement, Rockstar apologized for the later date, thanking fans for their patience and promising the extra time will help them deliver the level of quality fans “expect and deserve.” And honestly, that tracks with Rockstar’s perfectionist reputation. GTA 5, after all, has thrived across three console generations — no small feat in a fast-evolving industry.
Zelnick hinted in a recent interview that the long gap between GTA 5 and GTA 6 comes down to Rockstar’s commitment to exceeding expectations. He even suggested that GTA 6 might be going through player testing, much like movie studios test screen their films — allowing for crucial tweaks before release.
While a delay stings, it’s actually reassuring. No gamer wants a rushed GTA 6. And even with a spring release instead of the lucrative holiday season, the game is still poised to smash sales records.
Speculation is swirling that Rockstar might also be timing the launch to avoid economic turbulence and price sensitivity in 2025. By mid-2026, a higher price tag might go down easier. But for now, all we know is this: GTA 6 lands May 26, 2026 — and the countdown begins.
