Guide
GTA 6 Final-Month Calendar: Every Date From Now Until Launch
On this page
Current status
- Current status: 31 days to launch on October 19.
- Last verified: October 19, 2026.
- Sources checked: Take-Two (press releases), Fortune, Vertical Slice, GamesRadar, Game Rant, WSVN, The Game Awards FAQ, Rockstar Intel.
- What is confirmed: launch, preload, physical availability, the pre-order bonus cutoff and the earnings date.
- What is not confirmed yet: review embargo date, exact unlock times from Rockstar, and Game Awards eligibility.
October
| Date | Event | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Oct 20 | Miami-Dade County Commission takes up Rockstar promotions on county property | Reported | Fortune |
| Fri Oct 23 | Golden Joystick public voting closes | Confirmed (organiser) | GamesRadar |
| Late Oct | Review copies reportedly sent out | Rumor | Rockstar Intel |
The Miami-Dade background is in our branding vote guide, and reviews in our embargo guide.
November
| Date | Event | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Nov 9 | Take-Two Q2 FY27 results after close, call at 4:30 PM ET | Confirmed | Take-Two |
| Mon Nov 9 | Arion Kurtaj trial scheduled at Woolwich Crown Court | Reported | Game Rant |
| Wed Nov 11 | Golden Joystick Awards, London | Confirmed (organiser) | GamesRadar |
| Thu Nov 12 | Digital preload begins, physical copies (with code) available | Confirmed | Take-Two |
| Tue–Wed Nov 17–18 | Rockstar tribunal closing submissions, Glasgow | Reported | Vertical Slice |
| Wed Nov 18 | Miami Heat vs Bucks, "A Night in Vice City" | Reported | WSVN |
| Wed Nov 18 | First regions unlock (New Zealand, from 6 AM ET) | Reported (store timestamps) | Unlock times |
| Thu Nov 19 | GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The album releases | Confirmed | Rockstar / Take-Two |
| Fri Nov 20 | Last day to get the Vintage Vice City Pack ("before November 20") | Confirmed | Take-Two |
More detail: earnings, Kurtaj trial, preload, tribunal, Heat night, bonus cutoff.
December and beyond
| Date | Event | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 (9 PM PT) | The Game Awards 2026 eligibility window closes | Confirmed (TGA FAQ) | The Game Awards |
| Thu Dec 10 | The Game Awards 2026 show | Confirmed (TGA) | Game Awards guide |
| TBA | PC version | Not announced | PC status |
| TBA | GTA 6 Online details | Not announced | GTA 6 Online |
Analysis: a November 19 release falls inside the TGA window as described in the FAQ. Whether GTA 6 is nominated is up to the jury.
Confirmed vs rumored: the calendar
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Nov 12 preload and physical copies | Confirmed (Take-Two) |
| Nov 19 launch | Confirmed (Rockstar) |
| Nov 9 earnings | Confirmed (Take-Two) |
| Reviews before launch | Rumor (NateTheHate via Rockstar Intel) |
| Unlock at midnight ET in the US | Reported (store timestamps) |
| Miami-Dade vote on Oct 20 | Reported (Fortune) |
The bottom line
Circle November 12 (preload), November 19 (launch) and November 20 (bonus cutoff). Everything else is context. We'll update this calendar as dates change.
Sources checked
- Take-Two: pre-order press release
- Take-Two: Q2 FY2027 results date
- Fortune: GTA 6 is dividing Miami-Dade
- GamesRadar: Golden Joystick nominations
- Rockstar Intel: review copies claim
- Game Rant: GTA 6 leaker trial date
- Vertical Slice: tribunal moves to November
- WSVN: Miami Heat and Rockstar's Night in Vice City
- The Game Awards FAQ
Update log: 2026-10-19: Published.
Frequently asked questions
- When can I preload GTA 6?
- From November 12, for digital pre-orders on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Take-Two.
- When does GTA 6 unlock?
- The launch date is November 19. Store timestamps suggest midnight local time in most regions, which is midnight ET (9 PM PT on Nov 18) in the US. Rockstar hasn't announced a time.
- When is the last day for the GTA 6 pre-order bonus?
- The Vintage Vice City Pack is for purchases made before November 20.
- Is GTA 6 eligible for The Game Awards 2026?
- The TGA FAQ puts the eligibility cutoff at November 20, 9 PM PT. A November 19 launch falls inside it, but nominations are up to the jury.
Keep exploring GTA 6
Has played every mainline Grand Theft Auto since GTA III in 2001.
Editorial note: GTA6Home is an independent fan resource and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. We track official Rockstar announcements and update this guide whenever the facts change — the “Last updated” date above reflects the latest review. Anything not officially confirmed is labeled per our Editorial Policy.