GTA 6 pre-load starts next week. Here’s what to do before then

Without a doubt, Grand Theft Auto VI is the most eagerly anticipated game of the year—and its release date is just around the corner. It has already sparked tons of discussion with its frequent delays and high-profile sneak peek, and we expect it to break all kinds of records.

Here’s what you need to know about Grand Theft Auto VI and what you should be doing in the lead up to its release.

When is GTA 6 coming out?

Rockstar is releasing Grand Theft Auto VI on Thursday, November 19th, 2026. It will initially launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and the game will officially go live at midnight in your respective time zone.

While there’s no official release date for the PC version of GTA 6, multiple industry insiders point to a Q1 2027 release.

When does the pre-load for GTA 6 begin?

Anyone who has pre-ordered GTA 6 digitally will be able to download the game files ahead of the actual launch. On PS5, the pre-load begins at midnight local time on Tuesday, November 10th. For Xbox Series X/S, it starts worldwide at midnight GMT on November 10th—that means 7 PM EST on Monday, November 9th for those on the east coast.