Rockstar has announced a significant delay for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, pushing its release date from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026. In an official statement, the company expressed regret over the delay, acknowledging the immense excitement surrounding the game.
"We are very sorry that this is later than you expected," Rockstar stated. "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. With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon."
While the statement confirms the new release date, it did not include any new assets, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the release of Trailer 2. Additionally, there was no mention of the launch platforms, sparking speculation that GTA 6 might be released on PC alongside PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in May 2026.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar's parent company Take-Two, had previously expressed confidence in meeting the original fall 2025 deadline in a February interview with IGN. However, in a recent note to investors dated May 2, Zelnick endorsed the decision to delay GTA 6 into Take-Two's 2027 financial year.
"We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations," Zelnick stated. "While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence. As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders."
The delay of GTA 6 opens up the second half of 2025 for other major game releases, potentially providing more breathing room for titles like Gearbox's Borderlands 4, EA's Battlefield, Bungie's Marathon, and Sony's Ghost of Yotei. Nintendo, gearing up for the release of the Switch 2, is also likely to benefit from this shift. However, developers and publishers who planned to launch games around the original fall 2025 window may need to adjust their strategies, and those planning releases around May 2026 might find themselves facing stiff competition.
