History
How GTA 6 got here
Announced in 2022, trailered twice, delayed twice. Every entry below links to the reporting it came from — including the one date most timelines get wrong.
- Announcement
Rockstar confirms the next Grand Theft Auto is in development
After years of speculation, Rockstar Games states publicly that active development on the next entry in the series is under way. No title, no setting, no window — the confirmation itself was the news.
Source: PCGamesN ↗
- Announcement
The first trailer is announced for 5 December
Rockstar says the first trailer will premiere on 5 December 2023 at 9:00 AM US Eastern. It did not run to that schedule.
Source: Deadline ↗
- Trailer
Trailer 1 arrives a day early, after leaking
The trailer leaked online, and Rockstar published it roughly a day ahead of the announced slot. It named the game Grand Theft Auto VI, set it in Leonida, introduced Lucia and Jason, and gave the release window as 2025. Many timelines still date this to 5 December, the day it was scheduled for rather than the day it shipped.
Source: TechRadar ↗ Trailer 1 on YouTube ↗
- Delay
First delay — from 2025 to 26 May 2026
Rockstar drops the 2025 window and sets a specific date for the first time: 26 May 2026. The statement apologises for the wait and asks for the extra time to finish the game.
Source: Variety ↗ Tom's Guide ↗
- Trailer
Trailer 2, four days after the delay
The second trailer is published, four days after the date moved. Longer than the first and considerably more detailed on setting and characters.
Source: Trailer 2 on YouTube ↗
- Delay
Second delay — from 26 May to 19 November 2026
Announced alongside Take-Two's July–September quarterly results, the date moves back roughly six months to 19 November 2026. Take-Two's share price fell on the news. This is the announcement that set the date the countdown on this site targets.
- Business
Development spending reported above $1 billion
Take-Two confirms that spending on the game has passed $1 billion across roughly five years, while publicly disputing reports of a $2 billion figure. Independent analyst estimates put the total nearer $1–1.5 billion, and higher again once marketing is counted. Either figure makes it the most expensive video game yet made. Reporting does not pin this to a single day, so this entry carries only the month.
Source: ITC ↗
- Business
Take-Two reaffirms 19 November, against delay rumours
On its earnings call Take-Two restates the November date and says marketing will begin over the summer, publicly rejecting speculation about a third delay. A reaffirmation, not a new date — the 19 November date was set in November 2025.
Source: TechRadar ↗ Destructoid ↗
- Business
The date the game would have shipped
The release date set in May 2025 passes without a launch, thirteen months after it was announced and roughly six months short of the current one.
Source: Forbes ↗
- Scheduled
Preload opens
Downloading early does not let you play early — the game stays locked until the global unlock.
- Scheduled
Global unlock
One instant worldwide. What that reads on your own clock depends on where you are.
Missing something, or spotted a date that is wrong? That is a bug — see about for how corrections work. Live coverage is on the news feed, and unconfirmed claims are tracked, rated and resolved on the rumour tracker.