The date and the platforms
Rockstar set November 19, 2026 as the launch date and lists two platforms: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. No PC version has been announced. If you are still on a PS4 or an Xbox One, this one is not for you.
At launch the game is a single-player story. You play as Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos across the state of Leonida, with Vice City at its centre.
When does GTA 6 unlock?
Rockstar has confirmed the day. For the hour, PlayStation Store listings show the game unlocking at midnight local time in each store region. That means it rolls around the world one time zone at a time. New Zealand gets it first, and the Americas get it last.
Approximate unlock times on November 19, if the store listings hold:
| Store region | Local time | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 12:00 a.m. Nov 19 | 11:00 Nov 18 |
| Central Europe (CET) | 12:00 a.m. Nov 19 | 23:00 Nov 18 |
| UK (GMT) | 12:00 a.m. Nov 19 | 00:00 Nov 19 |
| US East (ET) | 12:00 a.m. Nov 19 | 05:00 Nov 19 |
Two things to keep in mind. The unlock follows the region of your store account, not the clock on your console, so changing the console's time zone does nothing. And Xbox timing may not match PlayStation exactly. We will update this page if Rockstar publishes an official schedule.
Pre-load: November 10
Rockstar moved digital pre-load forward from November 12 to Tuesday, November 10:
- PS5: midnight local time on November 10, in your own time zone.
- Xbox Series X|S: the same moment worldwide, 12 a.m. GMT on November 10. On the US East Coast that is 7 p.m. on November 9.
Pre-loading only downloads the game. It does not let you play early. Everyone waits for the unlock on November 19.
How much space you need
The pre-load file takes up to 212 GB, depending on your console. That is a lot of space. A base PS5 or Xbox Series S may need some old games removed first, so it is worth checking your storage now rather than on November 18.
If your internet is slow, start on November 10. At 50 Mbps a download this size takes roughly ten hours, and stores will be busy on launch night.
Boxed copies: a code, not a disc
There is no disc. The boxed version of GTA 6 contains a download code. Rockstar says these code-in-box copies should reach retailers from November 12, and you can pre-load once you redeem the code. If you order a boxed copy online, check the delivery date: a code that arrives on November 19 means a full download on launch night.
The Ultimate Edition is digital only. Standard Edition owners can buy the Ultimate Edition Upgrade later from the PlayStation or Microsoft store.
Price and pre-order bonuses
In the US the Standard Edition is $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition $99.99. Prices in other regions follow the local store.
- Vintage Vice City Pack: included with purchases of either edition made before November 20, 2026. It contains a '55 Vapid Stanier, a garage, outfits and hairstyles, and a weapon pattern. Boxed pre-orders get it as a download code.
- One month of GTA+: included with digital pre-orders.
On November 19 Rockstar will also add a free printable cover poster and a map of Leonida to its website.
What this means for you
- Now: clear about 212 GB on your console.
- November 10: start the pre-load (PS5 at your local midnight, Xbox at 12 a.m. GMT).
- Boxed copy: make sure the code reaches you before launch night.
- November 19: the game unlocks at your store region's midnight. Keep an eye on our countdown for your country.
For everything confirmed about the launch, see our GTA 6 release date guide.
Sources
- Rockstar Newswire — Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to launch November 19, 2026
- Rockstar Newswire — Grand Theft Auto VI pre-load begins on November 10
- Rockstar Support — Pre-load FAQ
- Rockstar Support — Platforms, editions and versions
- Take-Two — Rockstar Games announces pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI
- PlayStation Store — Grand Theft Auto VI
- VICE — GTA 6 midnight release times and storage size