You’ll need to hold on a little longer for the game that has been in development for over a decade.

On Friday morning, Rockstar Games made an official announcement regarding the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI. In a statement posted on its website, the studio revealed that the much-awaited game will now be released on May 26, 2026 — moving it from its previously undefined release window of late 2025.

Here’s the complete message from Rockstar:

Hi everyone,

Grand Theft Auto VI is now scheduled to be released on May 26, 2026.

We sincerely apologize for this delay compared to your expectations. The level of interest and enthusiasm surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been incredibly humbling for our team. We appreciate your support and patience as we strive to complete the game.

With each game we release, our goal has consistently been to exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no different. We hope you understand that we need this additional time to achieve the quality you expect and deserve.

We anticipate sharing more details with you soon.

Sincerely,
Rockstar Games

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The journey to GTA VI has been quite lengthy. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, was launched back in 2013 — a long time ago, originally debuting on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. For perspective: I was in college when I first experienced GTA V. Now, I find myself in my 30s.

In the time since, Rockstar has enjoyed tremendous success with both GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2, giving the studio little impetus to hasten the release of the next title in the series. Following years of rumors, leaks, and fan speculation, Rockstar finally released a single trailer for GTA VI in late 2023. Up until now, that was the only formal update we had.

What do we know about the game? Not a lot — but just enough to excite fans. GTA VI takes place in a contemporary version of Vice City, Rockstar’s imaginative rendition of Miami. It introduces two main characters who appear to exhibit a Bonnie and Clyde-style relationship. Visually, the game is breathtaking, and it’s clear that Rockstar is targeting a high level of refinement.

Now, with a confirmed release date, fans at least have a milestone to anticipate — even if it’s still two years out.