Is GTA 6 Delayed? May 2026 Release Date Explained
GTA 6 is NOT delayed - May 26, 2026 remains official. Here's why delay rumors keep spreading, what Rockstar's co-founder says about the launch, and what to actually watch for.
No, GTA 6 is NOT delayed. The official release date remains May 26, 2026, as confirmed by Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive. Despite this, delay rumors continue circulating - especially with Take-Two’s earnings call happening November 6, 2025. Here’s everything you actually need to know about GTA 6’s release date, why speculation won’t stop, and what signs to watch for if anything changes.
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games
What Actually Happened With GTA 6’s Release Date
GTA 6 was originally announced for Fall 2025 when Rockstar released Trailer 1 in December 2023. That changed in May 2025 when Rockstar delayed the game to May 26, 2026 - approximately 7 months later.
The announcement came alongside Trailer 2, new screenshots, and a revamped website featuring the “Explore Leonida” interactive page. Crucially, the delay was announced right before Take-Two’s May 2025 earnings call, following a pattern of major announcements being timed around these quarterly investor updates.
Since that May 2025 delay announcement, nothing has changed. The May 26, 2026 date stands officially confirmed.
Why Delay Rumors Keep Spreading
The anxiety is understandable given Rockstar’s history:
GTA V delays:
- Announced for Spring 2013
- Released September 2013
- 5-month delay
Red Dead Redemption 2 delays:
- Announced for Fall 2017
- Pushed to Spring 2018
- Finally released October 2018
- 1-year total delay
Rockstar prioritizes quality over deadlines, and fans remember. When you combine that history with October 29’s website redesign and the November 6 Take-Two earnings call, speculation naturally intensifies.
According to Indy100, fans are hoping for news on Trailer 3 or even pre-orders during this week’s earnings call. The pattern recognition is strong - Trailer 2 dropped shortly before the May earnings call when they announced the delay.
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games
What Rockstar’s Co-Founder Says About GTA 6
Dan Houser, Rockstar Games co-founder and former lead writer behind GTA and Red Dead, recently spoke about GTA 6’s anticipated launch on the Lex Fridman podcast.
When asked if GTA 6 will have a bigger launch than GTA 5, Houser said:
I assume it will because it’s so anticipated and anticipation is the best driver of early sales as we saw with GTA 4 compared to Red Dead Redemption 1. So I assume it will sell really well.
Video courtesy of Lex Fridman
For context, GTA 5 generated $800 million in its first 24 hours and over $1 billion in its first three days - currently the highest-grossing launch in entertainment history. Houser’s confidence suggests Rockstar expects GTA 6 to shatter even those records.
Jay Klaitz, who plays Lester in GTA 5 and GTA Online, also confirmed the scale of development in an interview with The Escapist:
It’s not like they’ve just been hanging out, chilling and then just started doing the work last year. They finished GTA 5 and then started on GTA 6 more or less immediately thereafter.
That means GTA 6 has been in development for over 11 years - unprecedented for any Rockstar title.
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games
What a Real Delay Would Actually Look Like
If GTA 6 were delayed again, here’s what would happen:
Official Announcement First
Take-Two would announce any delay before or during their earnings call, not through rumors or leaks. They did exactly this in May 2025 - the official word came from Rockstar and Take-Two simultaneously.
Fiscal Year Implications
May 26, 2026 falls in Take-Two’s fiscal year 2026 (April 2025 - March 2026). Moving the date would impact their financial guidance to investors, requiring immediate disclosure.
Marketing Would Shift
The “Explore Leonida” interactive page, new screenshots, and website redesign signal an active marketing ramp-up. Rockstar wouldn’t invest in this infrastructure if they were planning another delay.
Communication Pattern
Historically, Rockstar announces delays approximately 6-12 months before the original date. We’re now only 6 months from May 26, 2026 - within the window where they’d typically confirm or adjust.
Why May 2026 Looks Solid
Several factors suggest the current release date is holding:
Development Timeline: 11+ years is longer than any previous Rockstar game. RDR2 took 8 years and launched successfully.
Take-Two’s Confidence: The company hasn’t hedged on the date since May 2025. Their fiscal planning assumes the May 2026 launch.
Marketing Has Begun: The October 29 website redesign, Explore Leonida page, and Trailer 2’s 6-month visibility window all indicate active pre-launch preparation.
Pattern Recognition: Both major trailers (December 2023 and May 2025) released on schedule. Rockstar has hit their marketing milestones so far.
What To Watch For
The November 6, 2025 Take-Two earnings call (4:30pm ET / 9:30pm GMT) will provide an official update. Even if no major announcements come, Take-Two typically reaffirms GTA 6’s release window during these calls.
If anything changes, you’ll hear it from:
- Official Rockstar Newswire
- Take-Two’s earnings call
- Major gaming outlets simultaneously
Not from:
- Random Twitter accounts
- YouTube speculation videos
- “Industry insiders” with no track record
The Bottom Line
May 26, 2026 remains GTA 6’s official release date. No credible evidence suggests otherwise. The combination of 11+ years development time, active marketing, and Take-Two’s public commitments all point to this date holding.
Yes, Rockstar has delayed games before. But they’ve also completed and launched multiple massive titles successfully. With 6 months until launch and marketing actively ramping up, the May 2026 date looks increasingly solid.
The anxiety is natural given the stakes - this is the most anticipated video game release in history. But until Rockstar or Take-Two officially announce otherwise, May 26, 2026 is when GTA 6 arrives in Vice City.
🔥 2 Long, didn’t read
Q: Is GTA 6 delayed again in 2025?
A: No. May 26, 2026 remains the official release date confirmed by Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive. No credible evidence suggests another delay despite ongoing rumors.
Q: When was GTA 6’s last delay?
A: May 2025 - Rockstar pushed the release from Fall 2025 to May 26, 2026 (7-month delay). This announcement came with Trailer 2, new screenshots, and the Explore Leonida website.
Q: Why do people think GTA 6 is delayed?
A: Rockstar’s history of delays (GTA V: 5 months, RDR2: 1 year), plus the November 6 Take-Two earnings call and October website redesign have sparked speculation. Pattern recognition from past announcements fuels anxiety.
Q: Will Take-Two announce anything during the November 6 earnings call?
A: Take-Two will likely reaffirm the May 2026 date even if no new trailer or pre-orders are announced. Past calls have consistently mentioned GTA 6’s release window.
Q: What would a real GTA 6 delay look like?
A: Official announcement from Rockstar and Take-Two simultaneously, typically before earnings calls. They wouldn’t rely on rumors - fiscal obligations require immediate investor disclosure of any major date changes.
Q: How long has GTA 6 been in development?
A: 11+ years - development began after GTA 5’s 2013 release according to Lester actor Jay Klaitz. This is longer than RDR2 (8 years) and unprecedented for Rockstar.
