Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated video game of 2026. It has been more than a decade since the release of GTA 5. The game is currently expected to be released on November 19, 2026. It was initially slated for a 2025 release but was delayed twice, first to May 2026 and then to November. Preorders are rumoured to begin on May 18, 2026, at Best Buy. A new trailer is expected alongside the preorder announcement. This guide covers everything known so far about GTA 6, including the release date, preorder rumours, pricing speculation, platforms, setting, story, new gameplay features and the expected new version of GTA Online.
Release Date And Preorder Rumours
Release date: November 19, 2026.
The game was originally planned for 2025. It was first delayed to May 2026, then again to November 2026. No further delays have been announced.
Preorder rumours: On May 13, 2026, a Reddit thread compiled multiple social media posts suggesting that preorders would begin on May 18, 2026, at Best Buy. Insider Gaming reported that it had confirmed with affiliates that the emails were real. The X account GTA6Alerts posted code and an image from Rockstar Games‘ website showing a call‑to‑action for preorders. A new trailer is expected to be released alongside the preorder announcement. Rockstar did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the May 18 preorder date.
Platforms
GTA 6 has been confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. A PC version is expected but will not be available at launch. Rockstar typically releases PC versions of GTA games several months or even a year after the console launch. There is currently no word on GTA 6 coming to the Nintendo Switch 2.
Pricing Speculation
The standard price for big‑budget games is 70 USD. However, there has been speculation that GTA 6 could cost more. Some experts have suggested it could cost up to 100 USD.
Strauss Zelnick, the CEO and chairman of Rockstar Games‘ parent company Take‑Two Interactive, said last June that gamers will have an experience at a “fair price.” A likely scenario is that GTA 6 could cost 80 USD. This is the price Nintendo used for the release of Mario Kart World for the Switch 2.
The table below summarises the pricing possibilities.
| Price Point | Likelihood | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 70 USD | Low | Standard industry price, but GTA 6 is expected to exceed standard expectations |
| 80 USD | Most likely | Matches Mario Kart World price; fair price according to Take‑Two CEO |
| 90 USD | Possible | Would set a new premium tier for AAA games |
| 100 USD | Unlikely | Speculated by some experts but probably too high for mass market |
A standard edition at 80 USD with a premium edition (including bonus content and future DLC) at 100 USD is a plausible outcome.
Setting: Vice City And Leonida
GTA 6‘s setting is the state of Leonida, the fictional version of Florida. The game will include time in the big city and surrounding areas, including coasts and swamplands. The star of the game is the return to Vice City, a fictitious version of Miami. GTA 6 takes place in a modern setting. It is not the 1980s version players first experienced in GTA: Vice City. Expect neon lights, art deco architecture, beaches, swamps and suburban sprawl.
Story: Jason And Lucia
The two protagonists are Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. They are criminals in love. Jason has been working for drug runners. The opening scene shows him on his way to pick up Lucia from the Leonida Penitentiary. She was serving time for an unknown crime, but it involved protecting her family. The two will work together to improve their lives, one crime at a time. The story is expected to be a Bonnie and Clyde‑style crime drama.
Dual Protagonists And Gameplay Innovations
The big innovation in GTA 6 is the dual protagonist system. This is similar to the three‑protagonist setup from GTA 5, but Jason and Lucia will be playable in certain missions. You may switch between them on the fly during missions or free roam.
RPG elements are being introduced. Protagonists can customise their bodies based on the food they eat and the exercises they do. This may affect their physical appearance, stamina and strength.
Gameplay changes include:
- More realistic melee attacks.
- Improved gun controls (aiming, recoil, weapon switching).
- Updated driving physics.
- Expanded environmental interactions (enter more buildings, interact with more objects).
The game engine has been significantly upgraded from GTA 5. Expect improved graphics, lighting, weather effects and draw distances.
GTA Online: New Version Expected
A new version of GTA Online is expected, featuring the new game engine and the Leonida/Vice City setting. Rockstar has not officially confirmed this, but it is highly likely given that GTA Online has made nearly 10 billion USD for Rockstar since its release in 2013. The company will want to continue that revenue stream.
Questions remain about how Rockstar will handle the transition from the old GTA Online to the new version. Many players have invested significant money into digital assets (cars, properties, businesses) within the current GTA Online. It is unclear whether those assets will carry over or be left behind. Expect announcements closer to launch.
What We Do Not Know Yet
- Exact preorder date (rumoured May 18, 2026).
- Confirmed price (rumoured 70‑100 USD).
- PC release date (expected after console launch).
- Whether GTA Online progress will transfer.
- Whether the Nintendo Switch 2 will get a version.
- Whether there will be a single‑player DLC (GTA 5 did not have single‑player DLC despite plans).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is GTA 6 coming out?
November 19, 2026, is the current expected release date. The game was delayed twice from an initial 2025 target.
Can I preorder GTA 6 now?
No. Preorders are rumoured to begin on May 18, 2026, at Best Buy. Rockstar has not confirmed this date.
How much will GTA 6 cost?
Not confirmed. Standard big‑budget games cost 70 USD, but GTA 6 is expected to be higher. An 80 USD price is likely. A premium edition could cost 100 USD.
