GTA 6 Release Date, Price, Editions, Pre-load & Everything We Don’t Know
With launch about three weeks away, here is everything confirmed about GTA 6, from price and editions to preloading, and what remains unannounced.
By TechnoWorld360 Editorial TeamPublished
- Format
- Explainer
The short answer
Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on November 19th, 2026 for PS5 & Xbox Series X|S. The Standard Edition will cost $79.99 in the US and the Ultimate Edition costs $99.99. There is no word on a PC or Nintendo Switch 2 version.
TLDR
GTA 6 will be released on November 19th 2026. Vice has confirmed this date and that the game has not been delayed. As of October 28th, there are 21 days to go. (T3 has also mentioned that it will be released on PS5 Pro too.)
The Standard Edition will cost $79.99 in the US, as stated in Rockstar's Business Wire announcement that Push Square cited on June 24. The Ultimate Edition is $99.99 (T3). However, Push Square describes it as around $100. Pre-orders opened in late June.
There are many questions we can ask about GTA 6 right now. When can I pre-load it? Will there be a physical disc? Will there be a PC version? What if I haven’t pre-ordered? This post will show you what we know, who said it and whether it is rumour.
Prices and editions are from June so they may not be accurate. (T3 mentions that "This is a snapshot so prices may change".) The release date and that it has not been delayed are from Vice. Always double check the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store or your retailers before spending money!

Release Date
November 19th 2026. (Vice | Push Square) T3 mentions the release date is for PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X/S.
There is some uncertainty about the precise release time. Vice mentions that GTA 6 is currently scheduled to be released in a staggered release. Mid-night in the main timezone of each store. New Zealand is expected to be the first. This information comes from a social media post embedded in Vice’s article. Rockstar have not released their full schedule. (Uncertain.)
However, Vice also mentions there is no special release date or early access edition for New Zealand.
If you’re in the US, it is best to wait for Rockstar to release their release times. If you’d like to take the day off or stay up till mid-night, do so after the schedule has been released.
It is worth mentioning that we have seen various different release dates on Google. However, Vice, Push Square and T3 all say the same date. So we will use that.
Pre-load
Pre-loading is available from November 12th. However, the actual game will not be unlocked until the release date. If you’re watching a countdown to release, make sure it is for unlock!
Dates can change for various reasons outside of the publishers control. However, Vice have mentioned that the game has not been delayed. If you’re planning to do anything on the release date (like taking time off work), make sure you check the official unlock schedule.
As of October 28th there are 21 days to go. (Vice). However, there appears to be an error in the article. From October 28th to November 19th is 22 days. Either way, it will be around 3 weeks.
Price & Editions
(T3) The Standard Edition costs US$79.99, £69.99, €79.99 and AU$129.95. The Ultimate Edition costs US$99.99, £89.99, €99.99 and AU$159.95.
The Ultimate Edition contains exclusive cars, guns, clothing and missions. (T3) Push Square mentions that Rockstar have confirmed the price of the Ultimate Edition but didn’t mention what it includes. We are using T3 for our information.
Push Square mentions there was a poll done and 44% of people expected the game to cost $70 price. That tells you what people hoped for, not what Rockstar charged. The official price is $79.99.
Various comments were left on the Push Square article about prices on the UK PlayStation Store. However, these were not verified. We have ignored these.
Ultimately, it depends on you. Are the extra cars, guns, clothing and missions worth $20 to you? Check Rockstar’s own descriptions to decide.
Pre-order Bonuses
(T3) There are two pre-order bonuses. If you pre-order before November 20th, 2026 you will receive the Vintage Vice City Pack. This includes items inspired by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. If you digitally pre-order you will receive a free month of GTA+. This can be used in GTA Online to play classic Rockstar GTA games.
If you want the first bonus, remember to pre-order before November 20th. As the game is released on November 19th, this is essentially until the release date. Check the store page for the exact wording. (T3 mentions this is a snapshot from late June.)
If you digitally pre-order you will receive a free month of GTA+. If you purchase a physical copy, it is unclear. Check your retailer.
We have not seen the full terms of the pre-order bonuses so we cannot tell you if they are exclusive to certain platforms or regions.
Physical Copy
Some people are surprised to know that the physical copy will not include a disc. (T3) The PS5 and Xbox versions will include a download code.
Physical pre-orders will be sent a week early on November 12th. (T3) Vice confirms this.
You can pre-order digitally or physically from PlayStation, Xbox and multiple retailers. (T3) In the US you can purchase from Amazon, GameStop and Best Buy for the Standard Edition. In the UK you can purchase from Amazon and Argos. The Ultimate Edition currently only available from PlayStation Store and Xbox Store.
Overall, you would only want to purchase a physical copy if you want to save money, gift it or there are promotions from your retailer. If you were planning to sell it on, you may not be able to as it is just a code.
Pre-load
(T3) All pre-orders can be pre-loaded. Console pre-loads begin on November 12th. (Vice | Gaming Bible)
This means the game files will be downloaded onto your console. This means you can play the game as soon as it is unlocked. This can save you hours on release day as the servers will be busy.
None of our sources mentioned how large the files are. Make sure you have enough storage on your console. Once it is listed on the store page, check how large the file is.
If you have not pre-ordered, you can purchase on release. However, you will have to download it on the busiest day. If you have a slow internet connection, purchase earlier and pre-load.
Also make sure your console is set to auto update and has enough storage. These are general tips and were not mentioned in our sources, but are common reasons why downloads can be delayed.
Platforms
The game is currently only announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. (T3) No PC version has been announced. However, T3 expects it to be released around late 2027 based on Rockstar's past habits. (Gaming Bible) mentions insiders are claiming it will be released in Q1 2027. This is all speculation and conflicting.
Rockstar have not mentioned a Nintendo Switch 2 version. If you only have a Switch 2, there is no announced way to play the game.
There are no known plans to add GTA VI to Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. (T3) In the past Rockstar titles (such as GTA V) have only been added after a long time in retail. You will likely have to purchase it on release.
Push Square mentions the Business Wire release mentions it is a single player experience. There is no mention of multiplayer. None of our sources mention anything further so we cannot tell you what online features will be available on release.
What Rockstar have shown us
On October 27th PC Gamer mentioned that Edge magazine visited Rockstar’s Edinburgh headquarters. They spoke to the studio leads and saw the game in action. This has resulted in a 16-page cover story in Edge 430. This will be available to purchase on October 29th. This contains new images, interviews and a gatefold cover with artwork of Jason and Lucia. The feature will be free to read online on October 29th.
This is the first lengthy external look we could find. We have not read the feature so cannot tell you what it contains. There will be lots of coverage in the next few days.
(T3) There is a short clip hidden on Rockstar’s website showing Vice City in the sunset. Digital Foundry suggest this shows the game supports ray tracing.
PC Gamer have a few headlines in their sidebar. "Rockstar returns to Vice City with a satirical take on today’s world." and "First gameplay footage will be shown on Netflix later this month." We have only seen this as a headline so cannot confirm.
Soundtrack & Extras
(Gaming Bible) On October 28th an album titled Grand Theft Auto VI: Original Score has appeared on Apple Music. This has a release date of December 11th. This comes from a reddit post. Rockstar have not announced the soundtrack and leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The leaked album contains around 50 tracks. Only two are mentioned in the article. Flower In A Hurricane (already announced) and Pusher (not officially announced. Appears to be by Justice featuring Gesaffelstein).
December 11th has no relevance to the release date of the game. The game will be released on November 19th. However, Gaming Bible suggests that by releasing the soundtrack later, players will have finished the story without any spoilers.
Another album titled The Album will be released on November 19th. (No official source). Both dates are uncertain until Rockstar or the artists announce them.
How Much Will It Cost To Play?
The price of the game is only one factor. You will need a console to play it on. Consoles have been getting more expensive. (Game Informer) mentions that in the last 8-10 months the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S have all increased in price more than once. They have not mentioned how much so we won’t either.
If you are looking to purchase a console, you should consider this alongside your purchase. Spending hundreds of dollars on a console and a game that costs $79.99 or $99.99 is a big investment. However, there may be sales during the holidays. The prices in older articles may not be up to date so check current listings.
You may need extra storage if your console is almost full. You may also want to purchase an extra controller, headset or online subscription. None of our sources mentioned if you need a paid online subscription. Check your platform’s terms.
A big open world game can take dozens of hours to complete. During release week there will be a lot of other releases and it is the holidays. If you don’t have much spare time before the new year, you won’t lose out by purchasing later. There may even be a patch or two by then.
This isn’t a reason not to play the game. It is a good idea to set a budget. Decide how much you want to spend and write it down. Compare it to the price of the edition and console.
If you are tight on money, it is best to purchase the Standard edition and use a console you already own.
Is It Worth The Money?
As no-one outside of Rockstar have reviewed the game, this is all guess work. However, you will be paying $79.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate.
If you know you will be playing for dozens of hours, the price per hour is likely fine. However, if you are unsure, it may be smarter to wait for reviews. The game won’t run out and you won’t lose much by waiting a few days.
A leaked review embargo date has been going around but we have not verified it. Look for official review dates from trusted outlets.
If you are purchasing for a younger person, remember this is a Rockstar crime game. Check the age rating on the store page.
Things To Do Before Release Week
Make sure you have space on your console.
Decide on an edition. Standard costs $79.99, Ultimate is $99.99.
If you want the Vintage Vice City Pack, order before November 20th. If you want a free month of GTA+ order digitally.
If you purchase a physical copy, it will not include a disc. It will have a download code. Purchase for price or to gift.
Pre-load on November 12th if you have pre-ordered.
Check Rockstar’s official channels for the release times. The release times for each region are uncertain.
Ignore any unofficial release dates and prices from unknown sites. We have seen conflicting dates in various search results. Only the confirmed date from Rockstar matters.
Overall Thoughts
The main thing to note here is how final everything is. The release date is confirmed, prices are published and the only things we don’t know are PC, music and precise unlock time.
The price is quite high but it isn’t a shock. Rockstar have decided to charge $79.99, and we think the real decision for most buyers is whether to pay $20 for the extra cars, guns, clothing and missions in the Ultimate Edition.
If you have pre-ordered, pre-load. Wait for official release times. If you’re unsure, wait for reviews. (Opinion) The game isn’t out so this is not a test.
Sources
Vice, When Does GTA 6 Come Out? Release Date and How Many Days Are Left, 28th October 2026: https://www.vice.com/en/article/gta-6-release-date-how-many-days-until-launch/ Push Square, GTA 6 confirmed to be an $80 game, 24th June 2026: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/06/gta-6-confirmed-to-be-an-usd80-game T3, GTA 6 pre-orders this week, 22nd June 2026: https://www.t3.com/tech/gaming/gta-6-preorders-release-date-price-stockists-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc Gaming Bible, GTA 6 brand new release seemingly locked in, 28th October 2026: https://gamingbible.com/news/gta-6-brand-new-release-rockstar-games-december-11-514299-20261028 PC Gamer, Edge magazine went to Rockstar to see GTA 6, 27th October 2026: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/edge-magazine-went-to-rockstar-to-see-gta-6-and-will-tell-you-all-about-in-lavish-detail-this-thursday-october-29/
Questions people ask
When is GTA 6 coming out?
November 19th 2026 for PS5 & Xbox Series X|S. Vice have confirmed this date and that the game has not been delayed.
How much is GTA 6?
The Standard Edition costs $79.99 in the US and the Ultimate Edition is $99.99. (Push Square & T3 – Rockstar Announcement).
What’s included in the Ultimate Edition?
Exclusive cars, guns, clothing & missions. (T3) Check the store page for full details.
Can I pre-load?
Yes. All pre-orders can be pre-loaded. (T3) Console pre-loads begin on November 12th. (Vice | Gaming Bible).
Is there a disc included?
No. The physical copy will include a download code. (T3).
Will there be a PC or Switch 2 version?
Not announced. T3 expect a PC version around late 2027. (Gaming Bible) mentions insiders are claiming Q1 2027. This is all speculation.
Will it be on Game Pass/PS Plus?
No known plans. In the past Rockstar titles have only been added after a long time in retail. (T3).
