GTA 6 delayed until 2026

Rockstar Games has officially postponed Grand Theft Auto VI's release to May 26, 2026, pushing back the original fall 2025 launch window for what's anticipated to be the most significant entertainment release in history.

Rockstar Issues Apology for Major Delay

"We sincerely regret this extended timeline," Rockstar stated. "The overwhelming enthusiasm for a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our team. We appreciate your continued support as we work to complete the game."

"With every title we develop, our goal remains exceeding player expectations - and GTA VI is no exception. We believe this additional development time is necessary to deliver the quality experience our fans deserve."

The announcement provided official confirmation of the new launch date but notably omitted any new trailers or details about supported platforms. This leaves open questions about whether the PC version might now launch simultaneously with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions in May 2026.

Executive Comments on Development Timeline

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick commented: "We fully support Rockstar's decision to extend development for Grand Theft Auto VI to ensure they realize their creative vision. This will be a landmark entertainment experience that redefines expectations."

"While we take schedule changes seriously and understand the global anticipation, we remain committed to excellence. This decision aligns with our strategy for long-term growth and value creation."

Industry Impact of the Delay

The revised timeline significantly alters the competitive landscape for 2025-2026 game releases. Major titles like Borderlands 4, the next Battlefield installment, Bungie's Marathon, and Sony's Ghost of Yotei may benefit from reduced competition.

Nintendo also stands to gain with its Switch 2 launch window, while developers who accelerated projects to avoid the initial GTA VI launch window may reconsider their strategies. The May 2026 timeframe will likely cause significant reshuffling of competing releases.