The wait is finally—and officially—over. After years of speculation, leaks, and shifting timelines, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch worldwide on November 19, 2026. The definitive announcement came during Take-Two's earnings call earlier this week on February 3, where CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed investors and finally put a stamp on the release window. While the delay from the previously rumored 'early 2026' window has stung some fans, the community has already pivoted to a compelling new investigation: the viral '177-day theory' that predicts exactly when the next trailer will drop.

Take-Two Confirms November 19, 2026 Release Date

During the February 3, 2026 earnings call, Take-Two Interactive dispelled the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the franchise. Following a series of internal delays that pushed the game out of its initial Fall 2025 target, the publisher has locked in November 19, 2026, as the launch date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This date positions the title perfectly for the holiday shopping season, a strategy Rockstar has successfully employed with previous blockbusters.

"We are fully confident in this date," Zelnick stated during the call, emphasizing that the extra time was necessary to ensure the game meets the "unmatched standards" of the studio. Industry analysts suggest this final delay allows for critical polishing of the massive open world of Leonida, ensuring the technical hiccups that plagued other open-world launches are avoided.

The '177-Day Theory': Why Fans Are Circling May 26

In the wake of the announcement, the GTA 6 community has rallied around a fascinating piece of numerology known as the '177-day theory.' This theory isn't just wishful thinking; it's rooted in Rockstar's historical marketing patterns, specifically the rollout of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Here is the logic: There was exactly a 177-day gap between the release of the third trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 and its final launch. Eagle-eyed fans noticed a startling coincidence with the new GTA 6 timeline. The gap between the game's previous internal target of May 26, 2026, and the new November 19, 2026 release date is exactly 177 days.

The theory predicts that Rockstar will honor this symmetry by releasing Trailer 3 on May 26, 2026—the date the game was originally meant to launch. This would kick off the final 177-day marketing blitz leading up to November. It’s a poetic "nod" to the delay that aligns perfectly with the studio's penchant for meticulous, deliberate marketing cycles.

Leonida Map Rumors: Size and 'Cut' Content

Alongside the release date news, fresh details about the game's setting have emerged. Insider reports from the last 48 hours suggest that the map of Leonida is approximately 2.5 times the size of GTA V's Los Santos. The world is described as "denser and more vertical," with over 700 enterable buildings reported—a massive leap from previous titles.

However, the scope may have come at a cost. Rumors circulating since the earnings call suggest that a secondary state, codenamed "Gloriana," may have been cut or repurposed for post-launch DLC to ensure the November deadline is met. While Rockstar has not commented on cut content, this aligns with their strategy of expanding GTA Online over time rather than delaying the base game further.

Leaked GTA 6 PC System Requirements

While the November 2026 date applies to consoles, PC gamers are already looking ahead. Recent data mined from alleged internal documents has given us the most credible look yet at the GTA 6 PC system requirements. If these leaks hold true, players will need significant hardware power to experience Leonida at high settings.

Predicted Minimum Specs

  • OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-10400F / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 150 GB SSD (NVMe recommended)

Predicted Recommended Specs

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
  • RAM: 32 GB
  • Storage: 150 GB NVMe SSD

Final Thoughts: The End of the Tunnel

With a confirmed date of November 19, 2026, the finish line is finally visible. The delay is disappointing for those who hoped to be playing by now, but the transparency from Take-Two's February earnings call has provided much-needed closure. All eyes now turn to May 26 to see if the '177-day theory' proves true. If a trailer drops on that Tuesday, we'll know the final countdown has truly begun.