Rockstar just ended the longest wait in gaming: GTA 6 pre-orders are officially confirmed for Thursday, June 25, 2026, announced today alongside the reveal of the game's official cover art. After more than two years of speculation since the December 2023 reveal, players finally have a date to mark — and the price reveal is expected to land in the same window. Here's exactly what Rockstar confirmed, what it deliberately left out, and what it means if you're planning to lock in a copy.
Quick answer: Rockstar announced on June 18, 2026 that GTA 6 pre-orders go live Thursday, June 25, 2026 on "digital storefronts and at other select retailers." The same announcement revealed the official cover art (downloadable as wallpaper at rockstargames.com/VI). Rockstar did not announce a price or editions — those are expected to be revealed around the June 25 pre-order launch. GTA 6 still releases November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S only (no PC version confirmed). You can already wishlist it on both platforms.
When can you pre-order GTA 6?
You can pre-order GTA 6 starting Thursday, June 25, 2026. Rockstar confirmed the date in a post on its official channels on June 18:
"Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will officially begin on June 25 on digital storefronts and at other select retailers." — Rockstar Games (via Polygon)
"Digital storefronts" means the PlayStation Store and Microsoft/Xbox Store, while "select retailers" covers the usual physical and online sellers (think Amazon, Best Buy, GAME, etc.) once they list it. The game is already available to wishlist on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S stores, so the fastest way to be ready is to wishlist it now and check back on June 25 (IGN).
This is the clearest signal yet that the November 19, 2026 release date is locked. Studios don't open pre-orders unless they're confident in the date — and a pre-order date is typically the start of a publisher's full marketing push into launch.
What did the cover art reveal show?
Alongside the pre-order date, Rockstar dropped the game's official cover art in a short 30-second teaser on its YouTube channel. To be clear: this is not the next trailer — fans are still waiting on the third GTA 6 trailer, which may or may not arrive on June 25 as well.
The artwork follows the classic GTA box-art collage style established back in GTA 3, packing the game's key characters and themes into one frame. Confirmed faces and details on the cover include (IGN):
- Jason Duval & Lucia Caminos — the dual protagonists, front and center
- Boobie Ike — a real-estate mogul and club owner, a previously announced supporting character
- Raul Bautista — a veteran Vice City bank robber who crosses paths with the leads
- A woman wearing a "siempre" necklace (Spanish for "always")
- A motorbike pulling a trick, a cop car, and a helicopter with a side-mounted minigun
- A sports car, a speedboat, a flamingo, and a hungry-looking alligator — establishing the Vice City / Leonida open world
The cover is available to download as wallpaper from Rockstar's official GTA 6 site.
How much will GTA 6 cost?
Rockstar did not announce a price. This is the single biggest open question, and it's expected to be answered on or around the June 25 pre-order launch — you typically can't take pre-orders without listing a price.
Here's the honest state of the speculation, separated from fact:
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Pre-order date | ✅ Confirmed — June 25, 2026 |
| Release date | ✅ Confirmed — November 19, 2026 |
| Platforms | ✅ Confirmed — PS5 & Xbox Series X/S |
| Standard edition price | ❓ Not announced — reveal expected ~June 25 |
| Special / collector's editions | ❓ Not announced |
| PC version | ❌ Not confirmed for launch |
Industry analysts have repeatedly floated $70–$80 for the standard edition, with premium tiers potentially pushing past $100 to reflect the game's enormous development cost. The viral "$200 GTA 6" rumor has been widely debunked — there is no official basis for it.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has signalled the company wants the price to feel "fair" to players:
"Consumers need to feel like the thing itself is amazing and the price they were charged was fair for what they got." — Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive (IGN)
Treat any specific number you see before June 25 as a report, not a fact. For the full rundown of how to actually buy it once orders open, see our GTA 6 pre-order guide.
What platforms is GTA 6 on — and is there a PC version?
GTA 6 launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S only. As of this announcement, no PC version has been confirmed for launch — which matches Rockstar's historical pattern of releasing on consoles first and bringing GTA titles to PC later (GTA 5 hit PC roughly 18 months after its console debut). If you're a PC player, the June 25 pre-order is unlikely to include you on day one.
The game has also not been confirmed as digital-only; Zelnick previously denied those rumors, and the June 25 mention of "select retailers" implies a physical release is still on the table.
Why this announcement actually matters
Three reasons this is bigger than a normal pre-order notice:
- The date is now effectively guaranteed. After two delays (originally "2025," then a May 26 window), opening pre-orders is the strongest commitment Rockstar can make short of going gold. November 19, 2026 is real.
- The price standard for the whole industry is about to be set. GTA 6 is expected to be one of the best-selling entertainment products ever made; whatever Rockstar charges could redefine the baseline for AAA pricing.
- The marketing flood is starting. Cover art today, pre-orders next week, and very likely the long-awaited third trailer soon after. Expect GTA 6 to dominate gaming news from here straight through November.
For context on just how big the shift is, GTA 5 has shipped over 230 million copies since 2013 — and GTA 6 is the first brand-new mainline entry in over a decade. See our breakdown of everything changing between GTA 6 and GTA 5 and the full confirmed map of Vice City and Leonida.
What to do while you wait for launch
GTA 6 doesn't arrive until November, and GTA Online is still one of the most-played live games in the world right now. If you want to drop into Vice City with a maxed-out criminal empire ready to go — or you just want to make the most of GTA Online before the sequel lands — the smartest move is to get set up now:
Get launch-ready before GTA 6 drops:
- GTA 5 Money — fast & safe — top up your cash balance securely
- GTA 5 Account Boost — levels, RP and unlocks done for you
- GTA 5 Modded Cars — rare rides, delivered
- All GTA services — the full menu
FAQ
When do GTA 6 pre-orders start? GTA 6 pre-orders officially begin on Thursday, June 25, 2026, on digital storefronts (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store) and at select retailers, as confirmed by Rockstar Games on June 18, 2026.
How much does GTA 6 cost to pre-order? Rockstar has not announced a price yet. The standard edition is widely expected to land at $70–$80, with possible premium editions above $100, and the official price is expected to be revealed around the June 25 pre-order launch. Any specific figure before then is speculation.
What platforms can I pre-order GTA 6 on? GTA 6 releases on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2026. There is no confirmed PC version at launch, so PC players are unlikely to be able to pre-order on June 25.
Is the GTA 6 cover art real? Yes. Rockstar revealed the official cover art on June 18, 2026 in a short teaser, and made it available to download as wallpaper at rockstargames.com/VI. It features protagonists Jason and Lucia along with several confirmed Vice City characters.
Does pre-ordering GTA 6 guarantee the November 19 release date? Nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, but opening pre-orders is the strongest signal yet that the November 19, 2026 date is locked. Publishers don't typically take money for a date they expect to move.
