Grand Theft Auto VI official release date announced by Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, pushing back its previously planned fall 2025 launch.

The highly anticipated sequel in the Grand Theft Auto series will now officially release on 26 May 2026. In a statement published on its official website, Rockstar said the delay is necessary to meet player expectations for quality and polish.

“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” Rockstar said. “The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.”

The company added that the goal remains to exceed expectations, and extra time is required to “deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”

The delay follows the December 2023 release of the game’s first trailer, which confirmed GTA VI will return to Vice City and feature the franchise’s first female protagonist, Lucia.

The game’s narrative is said to draw inspiration from Bonnie and Clyde-style themes.

Since the trailer, updates have been minimal, with no significant new footage or gameplay information. Parent company Take-Two Interactive may share further details during its next financial results call on 15 May.

Despite the delay, anticipation for GTA VI remains strong. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, continues to dominate gaming platforms even 11 years after launch, recently topping Twitch’s most-watched list for 2024.

Rockstar has not announced a new trailer or further gameplay reveals, but the studio says more information will be shared soon. 

However, fans would be excited to finally have a release date to look forward to, after years of anticipation.