TechGTA 6 launch-day checklist: everything to do before November 19
A step-by-step checklist for GTA 6 launch: confirm your edition, clear storage, pre-load on November 12, claim bonuses before November 20 and know your unlock time.
2 min read
Mark the date
GTA 6 release dateThursday, November 19, 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar set the date in November 2025, Take-Two reaffirmed it in May and August 2026, and there has been no further delay.
In the US the game is listed to unlock everywhere at once at midnight Eastern, which is 9 p.m. Pacific on November 18. Elsewhere, store listings point to midnight local time.
At a glance
The essentials
- Release date
- Nov 19, 2026
- Official
- Platforms
- PS5 · Xbox Series X|S
- Official
- Pre-load
- From Nov 12, 2026
- Official
- Price (US)
- From $79.99
- Official
- PC version
- Not announced
- Official
- Online mode
- Not announced
- Official
Midnight rollout
Launch times by time zone
Store listings point to a rolling unlock at midnight local time, starting in New Zealand. The whole US unlocks at once: midnight Eastern, 05:00 UTC. Rockstar hasn't published an official unlock table, so treat anything beyond the US store time as reported.
Reported
| Region | Unlocks (local time) |
|---|---|
| New ZealandFirst to play | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| Australia (eastern states) | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| Japan and Korea | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| Central Europe | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| US Eastern (ET) | 00:00Thu, Nov 19 |
| US Central (CT) | 23:00Wed, Nov 18 |
| US Mountain (MT) | 22:00Wed, Nov 18 |
| US Pacific (PT) | 21:00Wed, Nov 18 |
Get ready early
Pre-load and physical copies
Digital pre-load: November 12
Digital pre-orders can download the game from November 12, 2026, a week early, so it's ready to play the moment it unlocks.
Official
Physical: a code in the box
The boxed version holds a download code rather than a disc. It goes on sale November 12 so boxed buyers can pre-load too.
Official
Download size
Not confirmed yet. We'll post the exact figure as soon as the stores list it.
Unconfirmed
Standard or Ultimate
Editions and prices
There are exactly two editions of the game. There's no special or collector's game edition: the $399.99 collector's box is merchandise and doesn't include the game.
| What you get | Standard$79.99 | Ultimate$99.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto VI (base game) | Included | Included |
| Format | Digital or boxed code | Digital only |
| Vintage Vice City Pack (buy before Nov 20) | Included | Included |
| One free month of GTA+ | Digital pre-orders | Digital pre-orders |
| Exclusive vehicles: ’95 Grotti Cheetah, ’67 Vapid Dominator Buggy, Shitzu Squalo boat and more | Not included | Included |
| Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers and engraved pistols | Not included | Included |
| Vice City Style outfits, hair and tattoos | Not included | Included |
| Classic Car Collection commission and the PTT Youngin$ store raid | Not included | Included |
| Five Ultimate-only businesses | Not included | Included |
| Region | Standard | Ultimate | Ultimate upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $79.99 | $99.99 | $20 |
| United Kingdom | £69.99 | £89.99 | £20 |
| Eurozone | €79.99 | €99.99 | €20 |
| Canada | CA$109.99 | CA$139.99 | CA$30 |
| Australia | A$129.95 | A$159.95 | A$30 |
Xbox Store prices, checked September 26, 2026. PlayStation Store and retail prices may differ.
Pre-order bonuses
Vintage Vice City Pack
All pre-orders and purchases before Nov 20, 2026
- ’55 Vapid Stanier two-tone sedan
- Shore Court garage near Ocean Beach, with a weapon locker and a stash
- A vintage pastel linen suit for Jason, a red sequin mini dress and curls for Lucia
- A tropical weapon pattern inspired by Tommy Vercetti's palm-tree shirt
Bonus items unlock as the story progresses.
One month of GTA+
Digital pre-orders only
Works in the current GTA Online (GTA V) and the GTA+ Games Library. The Xbox terms say you must redeem it within 180 days of pre-ordering.
The road to Leonida
Every milestone
From the first confirmation in 2022 to launch day, every official beat in order. Leaks are noted, never shown.
2022
Rockstar confirms work on the next Grand Theft Auto is well underway.
Early development footage leaks after a network intrusion that Rockstar confirms.
Reported
2023
Sam Houser says the first trailer will arrive in early December for Rockstar's 25th anniversary.
Rockstar sets the Trailer 1 premiere for Tuesday, December 5 at 9 a.m. ET.
Trailer 1 goes live early, on the evening of December 4, after a leak. It reveals the title, Lucia and Jason, Vice City and a 2025 window.
Guinness World Records confirms 90.4 million views in 24 hours, a record for a game trailer.
Reported
2024
Take-Two narrows the target to fall 2025.
Wins Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2024.
Reported
2025
First delay: the game moves to May 26, 2026.
Trailer 2 debuts with a rebuilt official site full of character and place profiles.
Rockstar reports more than 475 million views across platforms in 24 hours.
ReportedRockstar dismisses more than 30 UK and Canada staff, citing leaks. The IWGB union alleges union-busting.
ReportedSecond delay: the game moves to Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Wins Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards for the second year running.
Reported
2026
Take-Two's full-year results reaffirm the November 19 launch.
Official cover art revealed, pre-order date announced and wishlists open.
Prices, editions, bonuses, the Nov 12 pre-load and the code-in-box physical version are announced.
Pre-orders open at midnight local time.
Rockstar announces An Extended Look for August 27 on Netflix and YouTube.
Take-Two reiterates its $8.0–8.2 billion fiscal 2027 bookings guidance.
Rockstar calls a new wave of leaked gameplay videos heartbreaking for its team.
An Extended Look premieres on Netflix, then on YouTube, alongside the first hands-off previews.
An Extended Look reaches 31.1 million Netflix views in four days.
ReportedSony reveals two GTA VI Limited Edition DualSense controllers.
Controller pre-orders open.
Rockstar updates its mod guidelines, according to press reports.
ReportedGrand Theft Auto VI: The Album is announced with 34 original tracks.
The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection merch box is announced at $399.99, without the game.
Game Informer reveals its GTA VI cover story.
Reported- Upcoming
Digital pre-load opens and code-in-box physical copies go on sale.
- Upcoming
Launch day on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The album, controllers and collector's box also arrive.
Release questions
Release date FAQ
When does GTA 6 come out?
Thursday, November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar set that date in November 2025 and Take-Two has reaffirmed it since.
What time does GTA 6 unlock?
Store listings point to midnight local time, rolling around the world and starting in 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 treat the global rollout as reported.
How much does GTA 6 cost?
In the US the Standard Edition is $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition is $99.99. In the UK it's £69.99 and £89.99, and in the Eurozone €79.99 and €99.99. Standard owners can upgrade to Ultimate later for $20.
Can I pre-order GTA 6?
Yes. Pre-orders opened on June 25, 2026 on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, the Rockstar Games Store and at retailers.
What are the pre-order bonuses?
Everyone who buys before November 20 gets the Vintage Vice City Pack: a '55 Vapid Stanier and a garage near Ocean Beach, retro outfits and hair for both leads, and a weapon pattern based on Tommy Vercetti's palm-tree shirt. Digital pre-orders also get one free month of GTA+.
Does the physical version of GTA 6 have a disc?
No. The box contains a download code, and it goes on sale on November 12, 2026 so boxed buyers can pre-load too.
When can I pre-load GTA 6?
From November 12, 2026, a week before launch, if you've pre-ordered digitally (or redeemed the code from a physical box).
Was GTA 6 delayed?
Twice. It first moved from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, then to November 19, 2026. There have been no further delays.
What is GTA 6 rated?
The ESRB has rated GTA 6 M for Mature 17+, with In-Game Purchases. The UK PlayStation Store lists PEGI 18. Other ratings, such as Germany's USK, aren't final yet.
Plan your launch
Launch guides
Tech
Getting StartedGTA 6 Standard vs Ultimate: which edition should you buy?
Compare GTA 6's Standard ($79.99) and Ultimate ($99.99) editions item by item, including pre-order bonuses, the $20 upgrade and physical vs digital, so you can pick the right one.
3 min read
Getting StartedHow to pre-order and pre-load GTA 6, step by step
Pre-order GTA 6 the right way: pick a console and edition, choose digital or boxed, claim your bonuses, then pre-load from November 12 so you can play at midnight.
3 min read
Sources
OfficialEverything on this page comes from Rockstar, Take-Two or the official store listings, except where we label it Reported.
- 1Rockstar Newswire: GTA VI is now set to launch November 19, 2026
rockstargames.com · Nov 6, 2025
- 2Take-Two: Rockstar Games announces pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI
take2games.com · Jun 24, 2026
- 3Rockstar Newswire: Pre-order Grand Theft Auto VI on June 25
rockstargames.com · Jun 24, 2026
- 4Rockstar Games: GTA VI editions
rockstargames.com
- 5Xbox Store listing: Grand Theft Auto VI
xbox.com · Sep 26, 2026
- 6PlayStation Store listing: GTA VI Ultimate Edition Upgrade
store.playstation.com
- 7
- 8Take-Two Q1 fiscal 2027 results
take2games.com · Aug 7, 2026
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