“Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026.” That was the announcement Rockstar Games issued on May 2, 2025, confirming a delay from the game’s original fall 2025 release window. Today is May 26, and fans are marking the occasion with memes, jokes, and plenty of hope for a fresh update.
Let’s start with the remarkable fact that Rockstar Games’ current pinned tweet, published on May 6, 2025, is the GTA 6 Trailer 2 video, which includes the May 26, 2026 release date. So yes, according to Rockstar Games’ official X / Twitter account, GTA 6 is out today.
“I’m gonna sue them for emotional damages and false advertising or something,” one fan joked. “I’m playing it rn. I’m loving it so far…..(pls Rockstar give us something 😭)” another said. “Oh, there will be people that will be calling or searching for this in stores,” another predicted.
All jokes aside, the pinned tweet highlights the long wait for some sort of official update on GTA 6, the most anticipated video game of all time. Fans have struggled in the 12 months since that trailer drop, coming up with increasingly outlandish theories for release date news, Trailer 3, and other signs of life. Officially, GTA 6 marketing kicks off this summer, which we’re not into yet. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two, recently reaffirmed the November 19, 2026 release date in an interview with IGN. So no, do not expect any news today.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the internet from having fun to mark the occasion, with many wondering what it might have been like had GTA 6 actually come out today as planned. I’ve seen everything from fake review score roundups to AI-generated snapshots of the front page of YouTube, which is predicted to be packed to bursting with GTA 6 on the actual launch day. It is an understatement to say fans are excited.
The reality is we’re now half a year from GTA 6 coming out (for real this time), so we’ll have to remain patient a little while longer. Perhaps when Rockstar does release something new on GTA 6 — pre-orders, new screenshots, anything — it will finally unpin that Trailer 2 tweet.
While you wait to find out, we’ve got plenty more on GTA 6 for you to read, including Zelnick’s comments on whether GTA 6 even needs a Trailer 3, his thoughts on the current console install base (GTA 6 isn’t coming out on PC at launch), and how GTA 6 is actually delayed around 18 months, not a year.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.