Rockstar Games has officially announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will not launch this fall as previously expected. The game has now been delayed to May 26, 2026. The news was confirmed today through a brief statement from the company, which addressed the delay and offered some insight into the development status of the highly anticipated title.
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The original release window for Grand Theft Auto VI pointed to a fall 2025 launch, following a December 2023 reveal that included a short teaser trailer and confirmation that the game would debut on current-generation consoles. While no specific reason for the delay was provided, Rockstar acknowledged the high level of anticipation surrounding the project and emphasized the need for more time to meet expectations.
“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” the company said in its statement. “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.”
The company also reiterated its commitment to quality, stating that each release aims to exceed expectations and that Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. While the message did not go into technical details, the tone suggests that Rockstar is focused on maintaining its long-standing approach to development, which typically prioritizes polish and refinement over rushing a launch.
The delay to 2026 means that the time between the release of Grand Theft Auto V and its successor will span more than 12 years. GTA V originally launched in September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and has since seen multiple re-releases across console generations. It remains one of the best-selling and most-played games in history, which has only intensified the pressure on the next installment.
Rockstar closed its announcement by assuring fans that more updates will be shared in the near future. For now, the company has not released new gameplay footage, additional trailers, or confirmed launch platforms beyond a general focus on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. PC release plans have also not been addressed.
With nearly a full year added to the timeline, fans will have to wait longer than expected to return to the world of Grand Theft Auto. While delays are often met with disappointment, Rockstar’s track record suggests that the extra time will likely be used to ensure the game meets the standards set by its predecessors.
More details are expected in the coming months.
