Well, well, well… after months of constant reassurances (and gaslighting), Rockstar Games has officially announced that Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) will not hit shelves this year as originally planned. The highly anticipated open-world crime blockbuster now has a specific release date: May 26, 2026.
In a statement posted to their website and social media accounts, Rockstar addressed fans directly about the delay, saying:
“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.”
The announcement is the first time Rockstar has provided a concrete day for the game’s release rather than just a general window. Previously, the studio had only committed to a vague “Fall 2025” timeframe.
Though this is certainly disappointing for all GTA fans, industry insiders had been speculating about a potential delay for some time. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier claims the postponement was inevitable according to his sources at Rockstar, and Kotaku reported as far back as March last year that the company was considering a longer delay as a “fallback plan.”
What makes this announcement especially awkward is that Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick had repeatedly assured investors that GTA 6 would release on schedule. In several earnings calls throughout last year, Zelnick expressed being “highly confident” about meeting the Fall 2025 window.
However, today, Zelnick pivoted to supporting the delay, stating, “We fully support Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI.”
The delay will no doubt have serious implications across the gaming industry. Many publishers had been avoiding the Fall 2025 window entirely, playing some sort of calendar chicken game to steer clear of competing with what is expected to be one of the biggest game launches in history.
To no one’s surprise, Take-Two’s stock took an immediate hit following the announcement, dropping over nine percent in pre-market trading as investors reacted to the news.
The postponement will likely impact console sales as well, as many gamers were expected to upgrade to current-generation systems specifically for GTA 6. Physical gaming retailers will also feel the effects of missing the crucial holiday shopping season.
Rockstar did offer one silver lining in their statement, promising to share more information about the game “soon.” Either way, don’t hold your breath.
