Grand Theft Auto VI delayed until May 2026

Rockstar Games has delayed the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI until 26 May, 2026. The game had been scheduled for release this autumn, but the lack of a definite date was beginning to raise concerns within the industry.

Announcing the decision via a brief post on its website, the company said: “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. 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.

“With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”

It has been more than a decade since the release of Grand Theft Auto V, which has now sold 210m copies, making it the one of the most successful video games of all time alongside Minecraft and Tetris. GTA V was itself delayed several times before its eventual arrival in September 2013.

Little has been revealed about GTA VI since the release of a teaser video in December 2023. The open-world crime thriller is set to take place in the fictional Vice City, GTA’s version of Miami, and its home state of Leonida. The story is expected to follow veteran criminal Lucia as she embarks on an ambitious heist with her male partner.

No other information on the GTA VI delay has been given. However, Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two is due to report its financial results on 15 May, when questions from journalists and shareholders will no doubt dominate the session.