What time does GTA 6 unlock? UK and worldwide release times
In the UK, GTA 6 unlocks at midnight (00:00 GMT) on Thursday 19 November 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has confirmed the game is playable from midnight on 19 November, and the store listings set the time by store region. That means New Zealand and Australia get it first, and the US gets it on the evening of the 18th.
| Store region | Unlocks | In your time zone |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | midnight NZDT | |
| Australia (Sydney/Melbourne) | midnight AEDT | |
| Japan | midnight JST | |
| Central Europe (France, Germany, Spain…) | midnight CET | |
| UK & Ireland | midnight GMT | |
| USA East / Canada | midnight ET (9pm PT on 18 Nov) |
Your time zone: UTC. Times come from the PlayStation and Xbox store listings. Rockstar has confirmed midnight on 19 November but not exact hours per region, so they could still change.
Pre-load times
You can download GTA 6 in advance with a digital pre-order:
| Console | Pre-load starts |
|---|---|
| PS5 | Midnight on 10 November, local time |
| Xbox Series X|S | 00:00 GMT on 10 November (the same moment worldwide) |
The download is up to 212 GB. → How much space you need
Boxed copies
UK boxed copies are a code in a box and reach shops on 12 November. You still download the full game, so a digital pre-order is the only way to be ready to play the second it unlocks.
Quick answers
- Is GTA 6 a global unlock? Not as far as the store listings show. Each store region unlocks at its own midnight. Rockstar hasn’t announced a single worldwide time.
- Can I play early by changing my console’s clock? No. The unlock is controlled by the store, not your console’s clock. Region tricks with other accounts are unreliable and can cause purchase problems, so we don’t recommend them.
- Is it on PC? Not at launch. → Is GTA 6 coming to PC?
Sources
More guides
GTA 6 launch day checklist: what to do before 19 November
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GTA 6: everything confirmed so far
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