GTA 6: Preorders Start June 25, Release Date, Pricing, Locations and More

The countdown to the most anticipated video game in history has begun. Rockstar Games has confirmed that preorders for Grand Theft Auto 6 will open on June 25, 2025, with the full release slated to dominate 2026. After a decade of waiting, players can finally lock in their copies of the next chapter in the open-world crime saga.

Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, announced on Tuesday that preorders for GTA 6 will begin June 25 across all major platforms. The game will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch, with a PC version expected to follow later. Pricing starts at $69.99 for the standard edition, while a $99.99 Digital Deluxe and a $149.99 Collector's Edition will offer early access, in-game currency, and physical collectibles. Preorders are available through the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and select retailers like GameStop and Amazon.

Why now? The announcement comes nearly two years after Rockstar dropped the first trailer in December 2023, which shattered YouTube records with over 90 million views in 24 hours. Since then, the company has been radio silent, fueling feverish speculation. The preorder date reveal is the first concrete step toward launch, signaling that development is on schedule. Analysts believe Rockstar chose mid-2025 to begin preorders to build momentum for a holiday 2026 release, a pattern used successfully for GTA V.

Key details: GTA 6 returns to Vice City, Rockstar's neon-drenched take on Miami, and introduces the series' first female protagonist — Lucia, alongside her partner Jason. The world is reportedly the largest in franchise history, spanning multiple counties with dynamic weather and interactive NPCs. The game is built on Rockstar's proprietary RAGE engine, promising ray tracing, 60fps performance, and seamless loading. Insider reports suggest the single-player campaign runs 40–60 hours, with an evolving online component expected to launch within months of release.

Analysis: GTA 6 isn't just a game; it's an economic event. The previous entry, GTA V, has sold over 195 million copies and generated $8 billion in revenue — more than any single entertainment product ever. Take-Two Interactive's stock rose 4% on the preorder news, reflecting investor confidence. However, the longer-than-expected development cycle (nearly 12 years since GTA V) has raised questions about crunch culture at Rockstar. The company has promised a healthier work environment, but scrutiny remains high.

Outlook: With preorders opening in six weeks, expect a marketing blitz — new trailers, gameplay reveals, and possibly a public beta. The release window of 2026 puts GTA 6 in direct competition with other blockbuster titles, but few bet against Rockstar. If history is any guide, GTA 6 will shatter every entertainment launch record. For now, mark June 25 on your calendar: the next era of gaming begins then.