You wouldn’t steal a car… in 2025. Next Memorial Day, you can do whatever the hell you want to them (and any unlucky pedestrians who happen to get in your way). May 26, 2026 marks the official release date for Grant Theft Auto VI, a good deal of time later than it was initially promised, per Variety. While the franchise’s publisher, Rockstar Games, hadn’t set a specific date, the new title was previously on track for a release this fall.
“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,” Rockstar wrote in a statement on social media today. “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.” In their own statement, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, added, “We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations.”
When it does eventually release to the public, the highly anticipated sixth installment will be the first new GTA game in over a decade. It also marks an unprecedented milestone for the franchise: it will be the first to include a playable female character. We first met the new protagonist, Lucia, in a very, very Floridian trailer released all the way back in 2023, which portrayed her and her co-lead, Jason, as a bandana-wearing Bonnie and Clyde-type duo. Also featured in the trailer’s vision of Vice City, the game’s fictional (but clearly Miami-inspired) setting: gators, fanboats, twerking, and Tom Petty. It may be delayed, but it’s gonna be a party.
