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GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Rockstar’s support page and PlayStation. New Zealand is the earliest region in our table, at 11:00 UTC on November 18. Neither official page says how US stores handle several time zones, so West Coast players should check their console.
This guide lists the unlock time for selected regions and explains the one open question for US players. Pre-loading starts sooner, and our GTA 6 preload guide covers the times, file size and setup.
GTA 6 release time by region
Rockstar’s regional times support page says the game releases at midnight local time on November 19 on both consoles. The table below covers selected regions and follows Kotaku’s November 3 regional list. Countries with more than one time zone are shown for the zone listed. The UTC column shows when that zone reaches midnight.
| Region | Local unlock | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 12 AM NZDT, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 11:00 |
| Australia (eastern) | 12 AM AEDT, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 13:00 |
| Japan, South Korea | 12 AM JST / KST, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 15:00 |
| Indonesia (UTC+7 zone), Thailand | 12 AM UTC+7, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 17:00 |
| India | 12 AM IST, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 18:30 |
| United Arab Emirates | 12 AM GST, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 20:00 |
| Saudi Arabia, Turkey | 12 AM UTC+3, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 21:00 |
| Central Europe | 12 AM CET, Nov 19 | Nov 18, 23:00 |
| UK, Ireland | 12 AM GMT, Nov 19 | Nov 19, 00:00 |
| Brazil (UTC−3 zone) | 12 AM UTC−3, Nov 19 | Nov 19, 03:00 |
| Bolivia | 12 AM BOT, Nov 19 | Nov 19, 04:00 |
| USA and Canada, Eastern time only | 12 AM EST, Nov 19 (other zones: see next section) | Nov 19, 05:00 |
| Mexico (CST zone) | 12 AM CST, Nov 19 | Nov 19, 06:00 |
On these times, New Zealand is 18 hours ahead of midnight Eastern.
What time does GTA 6 come out in the US?
The sources agree for Eastern time: 12 AM ET on November 19. For the rest of the country, the official pages say local midnight but do not explain how US digital stores handle several time zones. The 9 PM PT figure below is a media reading only.
| Source | What it says | Pacific time, if so |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation US support | Midnight local time on November 19 | 12 AM PT, Nov 19 |
| Rockstar support | Midnight local time in all regions | 12 AM PT, Nov 19 |
| Kotaku’s regional list (media) | USA and Canada as one 12 AM EST entry | 9 PM PT, Nov 18, if read as nationwide |
| PCGamesN | (Media) multi-zone regions get a full release when the earliest zone hits midnight | 9 PM PT, Nov 18 |
Rockstar’s and PlayStation’s wording is the official one, so plan on local midnight. An earlier unlock in Central, Mountain or Pacific time is not confirmed. Check the countdown on your console once the game is pre-loaded.
GTA 6 Standard vs Ultimate: does either unlock earlier?
The official pages we checked do not list an earlier start for any edition. The Standard Edition is $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition is $99.99, and both are covered by the same November 19 date. Our GTA 6 Standard vs Ultimate guide lists what the extra $20 adds.
The physical version also launches on the same date, but it holds a download code rather than a disc. Rockstar’s pre-order FAQ says boxes can ship or be picked up from November 12, so you need that code redeemed and the game fully downloaded to play at midnight. Before you commit, our GTA 6 pre-order cancellation guide explains why starting a pre-load can affect a refund. What the game looks like at launch is in our launch trailer breakdown.
What you need done before GTA 6 unlocks
- Pre-load: PS5 at midnight local time on November 10, Xbox at 12 AM GMT on November 10 (7 PM ET on November 9).
- Storage: up to 212 GB free, depending on your device.
- PS5: leave automatic downloads on and the console on or in Rest Mode.
- Xbox: leave automatic updates on and the console on or in Sleep mode.
A launch-day patch has not been sized or confirmed by Rockstar, so leave some space beyond the 212 GB if you can.
Frequently asked questions
What time does GTA 6 release?
Midnight local time on November 19, 2026, according to Rockstar and PlayStation. New Zealand is the earliest region in our table, at 11:00 UTC on November 18.
Is GTA 6 out at midnight Eastern for the whole US?
Not confirmed. Official wording says local midnight, and Kotaku’s list shows one 12 AM EST entry for the US and Canada.
Can you play GTA 6 as soon as it finishes pre-loading?
No. Pre-loading only downloads the game. It stays locked until the release time for your region.
Is GTA 6 out on PC on November 19?
No. November 19 is for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has not announced a PC release date.
Does GTA 6 Online start at the same time?
Not confirmed. None of the release-time sources above gives a separate time for GTA Online.
Sources and update history
- Rockstar Support: Regional pre-load and release times on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (midnight local release; pre-load times)
- Rockstar Support: Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Load FAQ (console setup)
- Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Load Begins on November 10, November 3, 2026
- PlayStation: Grand Theft Auto VI support (US), read November 6, 2026 (midnight local, 212 GB, Rest Mode)
- Take-Two Interactive: Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VI, June 24, 2026 (edition prices)
- Kotaku: GTA 6 Pre-Load Times, Install Size, And Global Release Times Confirmed, November 3, 2026 (regional list)
- PCGamesN: GTA 6 release date, updated September 21, 2026 (multi-zone reading)
Update history: Published November 6, 2026. Facts last checked November 6, 2026 against the sources above.
