⏰ Ten days out, it's THE question: what time does GTA 6 come out? Answer: at midnight, local time, on Thursday, November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
We checked at the source: the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store both unlock the game at midnight in each region. Here is the exact time around the world, and why some players will get in 12 hours before everyone else. 👇
🌍 GTA 6 release time around the world
Rockstar went for a midnight local time launch: each country unlocks the game in turn, starting with Oceania. Here is when, in local time and in UTC:
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand: November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 11:00 UTC);
- 🇦🇺 Australia (Sydney): November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 13:00 UTC);
- 🇯🇵 Japan: November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 15:00 UTC);
- 🇮🇳 India: November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 18:30 UTC);
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 20:00 UTC);
- 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 🇮🇹 France, Germany, Spain, Italy (CET): November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 18, 23:00 UTC);
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 19, 00:00 UTC);
- 🇧🇷 Brazil (São Paulo): November 19 at 12:00 AM (Nov 19, 03:00 UTC);
- 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 US and Canada, Eastern Time: November 19 at 12:00 AM ET (Nov 19, 05:00 UTC).
In the United States, the Microsoft Store unlocks the game at the same moment across the whole country: on the West Coast, that means 9:00 PM PT on Wednesday, November 18.
⚠️ To play at midnight, the game has to be on your console already. Pre-loading opened on November 10, and Rockstar says you need up to 212 GB depending on your console: everything is in our pre-load article.
🇳🇿 The New Zealand trick: play 12 hours early
Since New Zealand goes first, a trick is doing the rounds (reported by French site Journal du Geek): set your console to New Zealand and launch GTA 6 as early as November 18 at 11:00 UTC, 12 hours before Central Europe.
It is mostly an Xbox trick, since the region can be changed in the console settings. On PS5 it's much harder: a PlayStation account's country can't be changed. ⚠️ Rockstar hasn't confirmed anything, and switching regions can also switch your store: do it at your own risk.
📦 What about the boxed version?
It hits stores from November 12, Standard Edition only. Heads-up: the box holds a download code, not a disc. Redeem it as soon as you buy it to download the game ahead of time, and you'll be playing at midnight too.
🎁 Last call for the pre-order bonus
The Vintage Vice City Pack (the 1955 Vapid Stanier, an Ocean Beach garage, retro outfits…) is a pre-order bonus. On the PlayStation Store, you need to buy before November 19. Prices: $79.99 / €79.99 for the Standard Edition, $99.99 / €99.99 for the Ultimate Edition (digital only). The editions are detailed on our GTA 6 guide page.
🎮 Single-player at launch
Good to know before you stay up: according to its PlayStation Store listing, GTA 6 is a single-player game at launch. Rockstar hasn't given any date for an online mode. And on launch day, Rockstar will also post a map of Leonida and the game's poster, free to print.
✅ Your midnight checklist
- 📥 Digital copy bought, or box code redeemed;
- 💾 Pre-load finished (up to 212 GB);
- 🔌 Console in rest mode and online;
- ⏰ See you at midnight local time on November 19.
Until then, brush up on Leonida with the characters, the locations and the 39 Launch Gallery shots. And for cheat codes, head to our Codes page, as soon as they're found and checked. 🌴
❓ Frequently asked questions
What time does GTA 6 come out?
At midnight local time on Thursday, November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store. In the US, it's midnight Eastern Time (9 PM PT on November 18).
Does GTA 6 release at the same time worldwide?
No: it unlocks at midnight local time, country by country. New Zealand goes first, on November 18 at 11:00 UTC.
Can you play GTA 6 before November 19?
Only where it's already November 19. A trick is going around on Xbox: set the console to New Zealand to play from November 18 at 11:00 UTC. Rockstar hasn't confirmed it.
How big is GTA 6?
Up to 212 GB depending on the console, according to Rockstar. Pre-loading opened on November 10.
Does GTA 6 have an online mode at launch?
No: at launch, GTA 6 is a single-player game, according to its PlayStation Store listing. Rockstar hasn't announced a date for an online mode.
Sources: PlayStation Store (Grand Theft Auto VI listing, France) and Microsoft Store (GTA VI listing, several countries), checked on November 9, 2026; Rockstar Games, "Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Load Begins on November 10" (Newswire, November 3, 2026); Journal du Geek (November 5, 2026) for the New Zealand trick. UTC conversions by GTA6Codes.fr.