Games giant Rockstar has moved the release date of Grand Theft Auto 6 back to May 2026. 

The news comes via a post on Twitter, in which the studio apologised for delaying the eagerly anticipated crime romp, which is now launching on May 26th, 2026. 

"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. 

"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 a release to investors, the CEO and chair of parent company Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick, said that he supported the firm's decision. Grand Theft Auto 6 was initially set to come out in the Autumn of 2025. That noise you can hear is any developer or publisher launching a game in the second half of this year breathing a sigh of relief. 

“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,” Zelnick said. 

“While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence. As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders.”