GTA 6 unlocks on PS5 at midnight on November 19 in each PlayStation Store region’s main time zone. We read the release timestamps on the listings for the 11 countries below on September 23, 2026, and each one is midnight in that store’s main time zone. The US and Canada share one unlock at 12:00 AM ET, which is 9:00 PM PT on November 18. Rockstar has only given the date.
The times
| PlayStation Store | Unlock, local time | In UTC |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 12:00 AM NZDT, November 19 | 11:00, November 18 |
| Australia (one nationwide unlock) | 12:00 AM AEDT, November 19; 11:00 PM in Brisbane and 9:00 PM in Perth on November 18 | 13:00, November 18 |
| Japan | 12:00 AM, November 19 | 15:00, November 18 |
| India | 12:00 AM, November 19 | 18:30, November 18 |
| Germany and France | 12:00 AM CET, November 19 | 23:00, November 18 |
| UK | 12:00 AM, November 19 | 00:00, November 19 |
| Brazil | 12:00 AM Brasília time, November 19 | 03:00, November 19 |
| US and Canada (one unlock) | 12:00 AM ET, November 19; 9:00 PM PT on November 18 | 05:00, November 19 |
| Mexico | 12:00 AM Mexico City time, November 19 | 06:00, November 19 |
Store pages convert these times into your own time zone, so the UTC column is the fixed reference. Timestamps can change, and we will check them again in launch week.
What it means
- One clock per store, not per time zone. The US West Coast starts at 9:00 PM on November 18, and Perth runs on Sydney’s clock. For stores we have not checked, midnight local is our expectation.
- Pre-load. Rockstar Support says pre-loading starts at local midnight on November 12. If PS5 follows the store clock, the US pre-load opens at 9:00 PM PT on November 11 (our reading). That matters because PlayStation refunds end once the download starts.
Xbox
Microsoft has not listed a time; its store page gives only the date. The data behind the listing carries per-market timestamps that match the PS5 times, but the page does not show them, so treat any Xbox time as our reading.
Your own zone is worked out on GTA 6 unlock time in your time zone, and the countdown runs to launch. Then follow how to pre-load GTA 6, or read how to cancel and refund a GTA 6 pre-order before November 10 if you are unsure.
Pre-order the boxed GTA VI
Amazon sells the boxed Standard Edition: a download code in the box, no disc. Amazon delivers from November 12, the day pre-load opens, and standard delivery can arrive later, so check the date at checkout. The game unlocks November 19.
PS5GTA VI · PS5Standard Edition: a download code in the box, no disc, for US and Canadian PlayStation accounts. Amazon delivers from November 12, with release-day delivery for Prime members; it unlocks November 19.Pre-order on AmazonXbox Series X|SGTA VI · XboxStandard Edition: a download code in the box, no disc. Amazon delivers from November 12, with release-day delivery for Prime members; it unlocks November 19.Pre-order on AmazonPS5GTA VI DualSenseSony's official Grand Theft Auto VI Limited Edition controller in white, out November 19.Pre-order on AmazonAmazon's Pre-order Price Guarantee: "the price we charge when we ship it to you will be the lowest price offered by Amazon.com between the time you placed your order and the end of the day of the release date." Amazon's help page adds that it "does not apply to lower prices offered through any program that requires a customer to join the program to receive the lower price." Amazon's release date for the GTA VI boxes is November 12.
Amazon's listing offers Prime members release-day delivery on November 12. New members can start a 30-day free trial (Amazon, checked September 28); a trial started before mid-October runs out before November 12, so start it later or keep the membership. Try Prime on AmazonPaid link: Amazon pays GTA6.how a fee if you sign up. As an Amazon Associate, GTA6.how earns from qualifying purchases.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, GTA6.how earns from qualifying purchases. Prices, delivery dates and availability are set by Amazon and can change. How we choose products.
Background: GTA 6 release date · GTA 6 on PS5 · GTA 6 on Xbox Series X|S
Frequently asked questions
What time does GTA 6 unlock on PS5?
At midnight on November 19 in your PlayStation Store region's main time zone, according to the store listings. In the US and Canada that is 12:00 AM ET, which is 9:00 PM PT on November 18. In the UK it is midnight, and Australia unlocks nationwide at midnight AEDT.
Does GTA 6 unlock at midnight in every US time zone?
No. The US store has one unlock at 12:00 AM Eastern, so it is 11:00 PM Central, 10:00 PM Mountain and 9:00 PM Pacific on November 18.
What time does GTA 6 unlock on Xbox?
Microsoft has not listed one. The Microsoft Store page shows only the November 19 date, and Rockstar has not announced times for either console.
What changed on this page
- Updated the closing link to our guide on cancelling and refunding a GTA 6 pre-order, which covers the PlayStation pre-load catch.
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