The countdown is almost over. The GTA 6 launch is on Thursday, November 19, 2026, and the days around it are packed: patches, reviews, regional unlocks, cloud streaming and giveaways. Here’s every key date and time in one GTA 6 launch week schedule, converted to Indian, US and UK time.
Quick answer: GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on November 19, 2026: 12:00 AM IST in India, midnight GMT in the UK and midnight ET in the US. New Zealand gets it first, at 4:30 PM IST on November 18. Reviews are reported for November 18. Xbox Cloud Gaming starts at 10 PM PT on November 18. Twitch’s daily Ultimate Edition giveaways run November 19–30.
Want the full details? GTA6 Basecamp has the region-by-region unlock list: GTA 6 release time in your region.
GTA 6 launch week, day by day
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 9 | Take-Two confirms the game is finished (gone gold) |
| November 10 | Digital pre-load opens on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S |
| November 12 | Physical code-in-box copies can be sold, so boxed buyers can pre-load |
| November 13 | Mandatory update 1.002 released (details) |
| November 13 | First look at Macca & Friends, an animated show you can watch on the in-game WEAZEL channel |
| November 18 | Reviews reported to go live (not officially confirmed) |
| November 18, 4:30 PM IST | New Zealand unlocks first |
| November 18, 10 PM PT | Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming goes live (11:30 AM IST on November 19) |
| November 19, 12:00 AM local | GTA 6 launches worldwide |
| November 19–30 | Twitch surprise-drops GTA 6 Ultimate Edition copies daily |
| December 11 | Justice’s original score album released |
GTA 6 unlock times around the world
| Region | Local unlock | Same moment in IST |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Nov 19, 12:00 AM | Nov 18, 4:30 PM |
| Australia (Sydney) | Nov 19, 12:00 AM | Nov 18, 6:30 PM |
| Japan | Nov 19, 12:00 AM | Nov 18, 8:30 PM |
| India | Nov 19, 12:00 AM | Nov 19, 12:00 AM |
| UAE | Nov 19, 12:00 AM | Nov 19, 1:30 AM |
| UK | Nov 19, 12:00 AM GMT | Nov 19, 5:30 AM |
| US (Eastern) | Nov 19, 12:00 AM ET | Nov 19, 10:30 AM |
Some fans plan to switch their console region to New Zealand to play early. Rockstar doesn’t endorse this, and it can cause account and purchase problems. Our GTA 6 latest updates post has the full unlock table.
When do GTA 6 reviews come out?
Reports point to November 18, the day before launch, but Rockstar hasn’t confirmed the embargo time. Read GTA 6 review embargo explained.
What’s Macca & Friends?
A first-look trailer, shared by DiscussingFilm on November 13, introduces Macca & Friends, an animated series inside GTA 6 about Macca the Gator and his wetland friends across Leonida. It’s “coming November 19 on WEAZEL,” the in-game TV network. It’s the kind of in-world detail GTA fans love hunting for.
Your launch-night checklist
- Pre-load the game and install update 1.002.
- Update your console system software.
- Check for another update on launch night.
- Charge your controller and set up headphones for 3D audio. See GTA 6 on PS5.
- Know your controls: GTA6 Basecamp explains how to save in GTA 6.
- Avoid spoilers by muting keywords on social media.
Players in India can also use our GTA 6 launch day checklist for India.
Frequently asked questions
What time does GTA 6 come out?
Midnight local time on November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
What time does GTA 6 release in India?
12:00 AM IST on November 19, 2026.
Where does GTA 6 release first?
New Zealand, at 4:30 PM IST on November 18.
When can I play GTA 6 on Xbox Cloud Gaming?
From 10 PM PT on November 18 (1 AM ET / 11:30 AM IST on November 19).
For live launch-week coverage and guides, visit gta6basecamp.com.
Sources: Rockstar Games and Rockstar Support, Xbox Wire (via VICE), Shacknews, DiscussingFilm (via GameNewsPlus), GAMINGbible, Take-Two Interactive, GTA6 Basecamp.
