Short answer: GTA 6 unlocks on 19 November 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, expected at midnight local time. Pre-loading opens on 12 November. A PlayStation database tracker reports a download of about 210 GB on PS5, so clear plenty of space now. Reviews are rumoured to go live on 18 November, but Rockstar has not confirmed that.
GTA 6 is now just over two weeks away. This page tracks every date between now and launch and is updated as new details land. For prices, editions and the pre-order bonus, see our main GTA 6 release date, price and editions guide.
GTA 6 countdown: key dates
| Date (2026) | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 9 November | Take-Two reports its quarterly results, the last before launch | Scheduled |
| 12 November | Pre-loading opens for digital pre-orders and boxed-copy codes | Confirmed |
| 18 November | Review embargo lifts | Rumoured |
| 19 November | GTA 6 and GTA VI: The Album release | Confirmed |
| Before 20 November | Last chance to get the Vintage Vice City Pack bonus | Confirmed |
| 10 December | The Game Awards 2026, live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles | Confirmed |
When can I pre-load GTA 6?
From 12 November 2026, one week before launch. Pre-loading works if you pre-ordered the digital edition on the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store. It also works if you redeemed the download code inside a boxed copy, because the physical edition has no disc. Pre-loading means the game is installed and ready, so you can start playing the moment it unlocks instead of waiting for a huge download on launch night.
How big is GTA 6? File size
PlayStation Game Size is an account that reads Sony's store database ahead of official announcements. It reports that GTA 6 needs about 210 GB on PS5. Rockstar has not confirmed the figure, and no Xbox Series X|S size has been published. Expect it to be in the same range, and remember that a day-one patch may add more.
A standard PS5 has about 667 GB of usable space and a PS5 Slim about 848 GB. An Xbox Series S has only about 364 GB, so on a Series S, GTA 6 could take more than half the drive. Delete or move old games to an external drive before 12 November so the pre-load is not interrupted.
When do GTA 6 reviews come out?
Rockstar has not announced a review embargo. A widely shared leaked schedule points to reviews going live on 18 November, the day before launch, with some outlets and YouTube channels held until 19 November. Insiders also claimed review copies were going out at the end of October. All of this is unconfirmed, so treat 18 November as a working guess until Rockstar or the big outlets confirm it.
What time does GTA 6 unlock?
Like most major console launches, GTA 6 is expected to unlock at midnight local time in each region on 19 November. That means players in New Zealand and Australia should start first, and North America last. Rockstar has not yet published an official regional unlock chart, so check its newswire in the final week.
Is GTA 6 coming to PC?
Not at launch. There is still no PC date, and claims of early 2027 remain rumours. If you see a "GTA 6 PC download" before then, it is fake. Our GTA 6 hack and leaks explainer explains why leaked "builds" are a scam risk.
GTA 6 launch checklist
- Free up at least 250 GB of storage on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.
- Pre-order digitally or redeem your boxed-copy code before 12 November.
- Switch your console to rest mode on 11 November so the pre-load downloads overnight.
- If you plan to play online, check that your online subscription (PlayStation Plus on PS5, an online-enabled Game Pass tier on Xbox) is active. Rockstar has not detailed online plans yet.
- Mute leak keywords if you want to avoid story spoilers.
What else launches around GTA 6?
Many publishers moved their games away from GTA 6's date. November still has big releases, including the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 (5 November) and Football Manager 27 (10 November). Our November and December 2026 release calendar has the full list, and our biggest games of 2027 guide looks further ahead.
Something to play tonight
Waiting is the hard part. City Rush is our free 3D taxi game, Lane Dash is an endless runner for quick sessions, and Crypt Crawler is a sword-fighting dungeon brawler. They all play in your browser.
Questions
What day can you pre-load GTA 6?
Pre-loading opens on 12 November 2026, one week before the 19 November launch.
How many GB is GTA 6?
About 210 GB on PS5, according to the PlayStation Game Size database tracker. Rockstar has not confirmed it, and the Xbox size is not yet known.
What time does GTA 6 come out?
It is expected to unlock at midnight local time on 19 November 2026 in each region. Rockstar has not published official unlock times yet.
When is the GTA 6 review embargo?
It has not been announced. Leaked schedules point to 18 November 2026, the day before launch.
Will GTA 6 fit on an Xbox Series S?
Probably, but only just. A Series S has about 364 GB of usable space, so you may need to delete other games first.
