Take-Two Interactive has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) to November 19, 2026, marking the second public postponement of the highly anticipated title. While the delay disappointed fans and sent Take-Two’s shares down by 5–6% in premarket trading, analysts believe the new timeline could lead to a more lucrative launch.
Originally slated for May 2026, the game’s shift to a holiday-season release positions it to capitalize on peak consumer spending and potential bundling opportunities with current-generation consoles. Analysts say console makers may invest more marketing dollars around the holiday window, boosting GTA VI’s visibility and sales.
“Releasing it closer to the holiday season allows for more opportunities to bundle with the tail end of current-gen consoles,” said Joost van Dreunen, a gaming industry analyst. “It makes it more valuable to Take-Two.”
Rockstar Games, the developer behind the franchise, said the extra months will allow them to deliver the level of polish fans expect. GTA VI will arrive 13 years after GTA V, which has sold over 220 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of all time.
