GTA 6 Delayed Until 2026

Rockstar Games has postponed Grand Theft Auto VI's release to May 2026, pushing back from its original Fall 2025 window.

In an official statement, Rockstar expressed regret over the delay for what's anticipated to be the most significant entertainment launch in history.

"We sincerely apologize for this extended timeline," Rockstar stated. "The overwhelming enthusiasm for a new Grand Theft Auto has been incredibly humbling for our team. We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we finalize development."

"For every title we've created, our ambition has consistently been to surpass players' expectations - Grand Theft Auto VI will be no different. We believe this additional time is necessary to achieve the quality standard our audience deserves."

"We're excited to share more updates in the near future."

While Rockstar's announcement confirms GTA VI's revised schedule, no new game footage was revealed - meaning fans must continue waiting for a second trailer. The statement also omitted platform details, fueling speculation about a potential simultaneous PC release alongside PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions in May 2026.

"Development timelines always carry some uncertainty," Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick told IGN in February when questioned about Fall 2025 confidence. "While we feel very optimistic, absolute guarantees can prove problematic."

In a May 2 investor communication, Zelnick endorsed Rockstar's decision to move GTA VI into Take-Two's 2027 fiscal year.

"We fully support Rockstar taking whatever time needed to realize their creative ambitions for Grand Theft Auto VI, which we believe will redefine entertainment benchmarks."

"Though we recognize the global anticipation surrounding this title and take release schedules seriously, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering. This strategic decision positions us for sustained growth and enhanced shareholder value."

GTA VI's postponement creates opportunity for other major releases in late 2025. Games like Borderlands 4, the next Battlefield, Bungie's Marathon, and PlayStation's Ghost of Yotei may benefit from reduced competition. Nintendo could potentially gain strategic advantage with its Switch 2 launch window.

Conversely, developers who accelerated projects to avoid GTA VI's original release timeframe may reconsider their strategies. Publishers planning May-June 2026 launches will likely need to reassess their scheduling.