What time does GTA 6 release? Launch time by country

It's the question everyone is asking right now: what time does GTA 6 release? The short answer is that Rockstar launches it on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at midnight, in each region's local time, on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. In this guide we explain exactly what that means, how it works out in different countries, what happens with the pre-load, and what to have ready before that night. Every fact comes from Rockstar's official pages, linked at the end of each section.

The short answer: midnight local time on November 19

In its support article on regional release times, updated on November 3, 2026, Rockstar states that Grand Theft Auto VI will release at midnight local time on November 19, 2026, in all regions, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (official source). The date had already been announced on Rockstar Newswire (date announcement).

"Midnight on the 19th" means 12:00 a.m. on Thursday the 19th, the moment Wednesday the 18th ends. If you live in the US, the UK, Spain or Mexico, you'll be able to start playing on Wednesday night as the clock strikes twelve, each country at its own local midnight.

Release time by country

Because launch is at local midnight, there's no single worldwide time: the game unlocks country by country as midnight moves across the time zones. Here's how it works in some of the biggest markets:

Keep in mind that one country can have several time zones. In the US, for example, the game unlocks on the East Coast three hours before the West Coast, because Eastern midnight comes first. Each zone unlocks at its own midnight.

Does it release at the same time on PS5 and Xbox?

Yes. Rockstar specifies that midnight local time applies on both consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Where the platforms do differ is the pre-load, which starts earlier and works differently on each (see the next section).

The official times Rockstar has published cover PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, so this guide doesn't cover other platforms.

Pre-load starts on November 10

To play the moment midnight arrives, you'll want the game downloaded already. Rockstar has confirmed that digital pre-load starts on November 10, 2026 and requires up to 212 GB of free space, depending on your device (pre-load FAQ):

• PS5: pre-load starts at midnight local time on November 10, in each player's own time zone.
• Xbox Series X|S: pre-load starts at the same moment worldwide, at 12:00 a.m. GMT on November 10.

Because the Xbox pre-load uses a single time (GMT), in the Americas it actually starts on Monday, November 9. This table converts Rockstar's official 12:00 a.m. GMT into local time (our conversion of Rockstar's figure):

If your country has daylight saving changes or several time zones, double-check your official local time: what doesn't change is Rockstar's figure, 12:00 a.m. GMT on November 10. On PS5 there's nothing to convert, since it starts at your local midnight. Our GTA 6 pre-load guide explains how to set it up step by step.

How to get ready for the night of the 18th

Once the time is clear, the rest is planning. These common-sense steps will save you some stress:

1. Free up space on your console: Rockstar says up to 212 GB.
2. Set up the pre-load from November 10 and leave the console on or in Rest/Sleep mode, with auto-downloads or automatic updates turned on, as Rockstar advises.
3. Make sure your console is up to date a few days early, so a system update doesn't hold you up that night.
4. Get the tracker ready: open the ViceTracker tracker on your phone and add it to your home screen. Real collectible data will be available from November 19.
5. Go through our [launch day checklist](/en/guides/launch-day-checklist) so you don't forget anything.

Frequently asked questions

Does GTA 6 release at the same time worldwide?

No. Rockstar releases it at midnight local time in all regions, so each country unlocks it when its own 12:00 a.m. on November 19 arrives. The first players will be in the countries where midnight comes earliest.

Is "midnight on the 19th" the night of the 18th?

Yes. 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19 is the moment Wednesday the 18th ends. If you wait until Thursday night, you'll be a full day late.

Does it come out earlier on PS5 or Xbox?

No. According to Rockstar, midnight local time on November 19 applies to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S alike. Only the pre-load start differs: local midnight on PS5 and 12:00 a.m. GMT on Xbox.

Can I play earlier if I pre-load?

Pre-loading lets you download the game ahead of time. The release is still at midnight local time on November 19, according to Rockstar.

How much space do I need?

Rockstar says the pre-load requires up to 212 GB of available space, depending on your device. We explain how to prepare in the pre-load guide.

When will ViceTracker have the real collectibles?

Right now the tracker shows example data so you can try it out. Real data will be available from November 19, and we'll keep expanding it with verified information. In the meantime, learn the basics with our guide on how to use ViceTracker.

Official sources

• Rockstar Games: regional pre-load and release times on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
• Rockstar Games: GTA VI pre-load FAQ
• Rockstar Newswire: GTA VI is now set to launch November 19, 2026