Will GTA VI be delayed (again)? The prediction markets don’t think so
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA6) is on track to be one of the important gaming titles not just of 2026, but of this generation. With the game expected to set a new standard in the gaming industry, as well as a new pricing standard, anticipation for what many expect to be a game of the year, is high.
The open-world crime action game is slated for release later this year, but with such an ambitious title, will it make the grade, or will GTA 6 be delayed again? Let’s look at the facts, and then check in on the prediction markets to see what forecasts are saying.
Image credit: Rockstar Games.
Why do people think GTA 6 could be delayed?
The simple reason people expect a delay is because it’s happened before. GTA 6 has seen repeated delays due to what the company has called a need to quite literally “finish the game.” In May 2025, Rockstar Games released a statement on the delay from a projected Winter 2025 release date:
“With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
And beyond this, GTA VI’s developers have faced controversy during development after the firing of 30 employees for what has been alleged as union busting, an action illegal in the UK where Rockstar is based.
With many senior developers caught up in this firing wave, and seemingly ‘hundreds’ of years of experience, concerns that further delays could be seen beyond the current release date seem likely.
Image credit: Rockstar Games.
What’s the current GTA VI release date?
GTA VI, the sixth mainline installment of the GTA series, is currently set to release on Nov. 19. That date came after the original release date of May 26, 2026, was delayed. And beyond that, GTA 6’s original release date was speculated to be around Winter 2025.
This delay was reportedly due to the developer needing more time to finish and refine the game.
But there’s also a big reason why publisher Take-Two and developer Rockstar Games may have chosen Nov. 19, and it’s to do with the Game Awards. Traditionally, the third Friday in November has been the cut off date for nominations for the game awards. Last year (2025) the cut-off date was Nov. 20, the third Friday in the month. In 2026, the third Friday in November is the 19th.
As a result, GTA 6 is being released on the last possible day for it to have any chance to be nominated and win awards at the Game Awards. And even then, it could be too late to pick up some of the votes needed to secure rewards.
However, another delay would push GTA VI into 2027, and likely out of contention for the Game Awards (early in the year releases often struggle in GotY voting due to recency bias). But there’s also one part of GTA 6 that’s unfortunately going to be delayed, regardless of anything else.
Image credit: Rockstar Games.
GTA 6 will see its release delayed on PC
Unfortunately for PC players, it’s likely that GTA 6 will be a day-one release on consoles only. Earlier this month, Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, said that the game would be “better served” by a delayed PC release.
“Rockstar always starts on console because I think, with regard to a release like that, you’re judged by serving the core.”
Despite the majority of GTA 5’s playerbase now being on PC, due to elements like GTA Online roleplay, the company still sees console releases as their bread and butter.
Zelnick is probably right, at least on release. Players will rush to buy GTA 6 on console, and not worry too much about PC until later, when longer-term players who want to enjoy the multiplayer will buy the game at discount. The lack of the PC release is to prevent early cannibalization, with PC players seen as taking away from console purchases.
GTA 6’s release date on the prediction markets
On Kalshi, the prediction market “GTA 6 release date?” is a $2,500,000 volume market with most predicting the game’s release won’t be delayed. The “Before 2027” result is trending Yes at $0.82, and one expects the game to release before stated release date of November.
Image credit: Win.gg/Kalshi
Beyond this, the market for “Before January 2028” is also 96% Yes. Over on Polymarket, 28% of the market is predicting another delay.
Generally, the markets are static in regards to this. A late release now, or delay, would likely be financially devastating for Take-Two and Rockstar. It’s speculated the Game Award nominations and wins are major targets for the executives in charge of those companies. Any delay could scupper those chances.
Featured image credit: Rockstar Games
Michael is an eight-year veteran of games writing and has been playing games for as long as he can remember. With bylines across the internet, he has used his expertise to cover esports, prediction markets, mainstream gaming, streamers and more.
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