📥 It's official, and it's earlier than planned: GTA 6 pre-loading starts on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar announced it on November 3 on its Newswire.
Until now, the announced date was November 12. That gives you two extra days to download the game before it launches on Thursday, November 19.
Rockstar also finally gave the file size: up to 212 GB. Here's everything you need to know.
⏰ What time does the pre-load start?
The time is not the same on both consoles:
- 🎮 PS5: Tuesday, November 10 at midnight, local time, wherever you live;
- 🟩 Xbox Series X|S: at the same moment worldwide, on November 10 at 12 a.m. GMT. That's midnight in the UK, and 1 a.m. in Paris, Berlin or Madrid.
In the United States, the Xbox pre-load therefore starts on Monday, November 9: at 7 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. PT.
💾 212 GB: the official size
According to Rockstar, the pre-load file will require up to 212 GB, depending on your console. On October 27, a leak mentioned 210 GB on PS5: it was almost spot on.
On an original PS5, the 825 GB SSD only offers about 667 GB of usable space: GTA 6 will take up nearly a third of it. Rockstar recommends making sure you have enough room to start pre-loading as soon as possible.
Here's how long it takes to download 212 GB, depending on your connection (theoretical, at full speed):
- 🐢 at 30 Mbps: about 15 hours 40 minutes;
- 🚗 at 100 Mbps: about 4 hours 45 minutes;
- 🚀 at 1 Gbps (fiber): about 28 minutes.
With 9 days ahead of you, a connection of about 2.2 Mbps is enough, in theory, to get everything before launch.
📦 What about the boxed version?
Code-in-box versions will be available from retailers starting November 12, on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. They contain a download code, not a disc, so you will have to download the game either way.
👉 To pre-load from November 10, you need the digital version. Rockstar reminds players there's still time to pre-order it. The steps for each console are on the Rockstar Support site.
🗺️ Bonus: the official poster and Leonida map, for free
Another announcement today: on November 19, Rockstar will add an official printable cover art poster and a map of Leonida to the official GTA 6 site, as a free digital download.
A double-sided physical version of this poster will also be available shortly after launch from the Rockstar Store: $0.99 on its own, or free with any purchase from the store.
✅ Your checklist before November 10
- 🧹 Free up at least 212 GB, plus a little extra to be safe;
- 📥 Pre-order the digital version if you want to pre-load from day one;
- 🌙 On PS5, leave the console in rest mode, connected to the internet: the download keeps going overnight;
- 🗺️ Meanwhile, brush up on Leonida: our page GTA 6: everything we know, the map and the characters.
While it downloads, read our 20 days left: what will you do first? article and check out the 12 new images from EDGE magazine. 🌴
❓ Frequently asked questions
When does the GTA 6 pre-load start?
On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, according to Rockstar: at midnight local time on PS5, and at 12 a.m. GMT on Xbox Series X|S (7 p.m. ET on November 9 in the US).
How big is GTA 6?
Up to 212 GB depending on your console, according to Rockstar's announcement of November 3, 2026.
Can you pre-load GTA 6 with the boxed version?
The box contains a download code, not a disc. It will be available from retailers starting November 12. To pre-load from November 10, you need the digital version.
When does GTA 6 come out?
On Thursday, November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Is the official GTA 6 poster free?
Yes, as a printable digital download: it will be on the official site from November 19, along with the map of Leonida. The double-sided physical version will cost $0.99 at the Rockstar Store, or come free with any purchase.
Source: Rockstar Games, Newswire, November 3, 2026. Local times and download times: calculated by GTA6Codes.fr.