How to pre-order and pre-load GTA 6, step by step

Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI opened on June 25, 2026, and the game unlocks on November 19. Do these steps in order and the game will be downloaded, bonuses claimed and ready to play the moment it unlocks where you live.

Pick your console#

GTA VI is only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. There's no PC, PS4 or Xbox One version. Buy for the console you'll actually play on.

Not sure which to pick? Read PS5 vs PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X|S.

Choose Standard or Ultimate#

• Standard, $79.99: the full game. Digital or boxed code.
• Ultimate, $99.99: the full game plus exclusive vehicles, weapons, outfits, side activities and five businesses. Digital only.

You can upgrade Standard to Ultimate later for $20, so Standard is the safe choice if you're undecided. Full comparison: which edition to buy.

Decide: digital or boxed#

Digital is the simplest route. It's the only way to get Ultimate and the only way to get the free GTA+ month, and you can pre-load from November 12.

Boxed copies contain a download code, not a disc. They go on sale on November 12, so you can still pre-load after redeeming the code.

Place your pre-order#

Pre-orders are open on:

• the PlayStation Store (PS5)
• the Microsoft Store (Xbox Series X|S)
• the Rockstar Games Store
• participating retailers

Buy from an official store or a retailer you know. There's no official PC pre-order, so treat any "GTA 6 PC" offer as fake.

Claim your bonuses#

Two bonuses come with buying early:

1. Vintage Vice City Pack for every purchase before November 20, 2026 (the Xbox listing says before 23:59:59 on November 19). Its items unlock in the game as the story progresses.
2. One month of GTA+ for digital pre-orders. It's for today's GTA Online and the GTA+ Games Library, not for GTA VI. The Xbox terms say you must redeem it within 180 days of pre-ordering. Our GTA+ guide covers when to use it.

Make space for the download#

The download size hasn't been confirmed. Until it is, the sensible move is to clear space on your console's internal storage ahead of November 12. We'll add the exact figure to our launch-day checklist as soon as the stores list it.

Pre-load from November 12#

From November 12, 2026, digital pre-orders can download the game in advance. Check your console's download queue or game library that day to make sure it has started. Once it finishes, the game is ready for launch day.

Play at midnight#

Store listings point to a midnight local-time unlock, rolling around the world from New Zealand. The whole US unlocks together at midnight Eastern, which is 9 p.m. Pacific on November 18. Rockstar hasn't published an official unlock table, so keep an eye on our release date countdown.