Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed to November 2026
Rockstar Games has officially announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will not be arriving as early as previously expected. Originally scheduled for release on May 26, 2026, the long-awaited open-world title has now been delayed to November 19, 2026, marking yet another shift in what has already been an extended development cycle for one of the most anticipated games of the decade.
The announcement was made via the official Rockstar Games X account, where the company confirmed that it needs additional time to achieve the “level of polish and quality” that fans have come to expect.
“Hi everyone,” the post reads. “Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.”
Rockstar followed up with another message expressing appreciation for the community’s continued patience and support:
“While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern-day Vice City.”
Hi everyone,
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) November 6, 2025
Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and… pic.twitter.com/yLX9KIiDzX
The announcement follows months of speculation regarding the game’s development timeline. Earlier reports suggested that while Rockstar had aimed for a 2026 release, internal sources already anticipated potential delays as the studio pushed to perfect the experience. The May 2026 date initially appeared to mark a confident target, but the decision to move it to November underscores Rockstar’s long-standing philosophy of prioritizing quality over deadlines.
Following the news, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, discussed the delay in an interview with The Game Business, reaffirming the publisher’s full support for Rockstar’s decision.
“When we set a date, we really do believe in it,” Zelnick stated. “If a game requires more polish to be the best possible version of itself, then we will give that game more time. And that’s exactly what happened. We feel really good about this release date. It’s in the same fiscal year, it happens to be a great release window, and we’re fully supportive of Rockstar’s approach.”
The delay is far from surprising considering the scope of Grand Theft Auto VI. The game represents a monumental undertaking for Rockstar, with vast development resources invested into creating the fictional state of Leonida and reimagining Vice City with cutting-edge realism. Given Rockstar’s meticulous history, including multiple delays for previous titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, the decision reflects its consistent commitment to releasing only when the product meets the studio’s exacting standards.
While this delay will test the patience of millions of eager players, it also reinforces Rockstar’s reputation for perfectionism. If history is any indication, the wait will likely be worth it when Grand Theft Auto VI finally launches on November 19, 2026.
Do you think Rockstar made the right call delaying Grand Theft Auto VI again, or should the studio have stuck to its May release date? Share your thoughts below.
