It’s been a wild ride for GTA fans. After Rockstar dropped its first Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer back in December 2023, the excitement was explosive. But things went eerily quiet again for two long years, only for the next major update to arrive with the second trailer earlier in 2024. Fans were pumped — until the fine print broke the mood: GTA 6 had been officially delayed, bumping the release from Fall 2025 to May 2026.
Now, a new wave of rumours has struck. On a recent episode of Insider Gaming Weekly, well-known gaming journalist Tom Henderson dropped a bombshell: he suspects GTA 6 won’t hit its newly scheduled May 2026 release window. Instead, he speculates Rockstar may need to push the date out to October 2026.
Henderson, who’s earned a reputation for accurate leaks on franchises like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and yes, GTA, made it clear this isn’t official confirmation. “I don’t think that it is gonna release in May,” he said, referencing “rumblings” behind the scenes. But he also noted that it wasn’t enough to confirm or publish as hard news: just speculation for now.
Conflicting reports stir confusion
There’s a twist, of course. While Henderson hints at a delay, another content creator is calling for calm. In a recent video, YouTuber Luke Stephens claimed to have an insider source with deep industry ties. According to Stephens, this source — who allegedly has direct connections within Rockstar — believes the studio remains confident in its May 2026 timeline.
So, who’s right? It’s tough to say. Rockstar has built a legacy of delaying games to ensure polish and perfection. But there’s also a pattern: when they switch from vague windows to specific release dates, they tend to stick to them. It’s something fans and analysts have noticed for years.
Rockstar’s history of delays: A double-edged sword
Look, no one’s shocked at the idea of a Rockstar delay. These games are titanic undertakings. Just ask any Red Dead Redemption 2 fan who waited through the multiple delays before the game finally melted their eyeballs with its beauty in 2018. Rockstar delays hurt, but they usually pay off.
That’s why Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick remains confident. Back in August, he publicly reassured fans that Rockstar would deliver on the May 2026 target. No ifs, ands, or buts were mentioned at the time.
Still, if history tells us anything, it’s that even the best-laid plans aren’t bulletproof when it comes to triple-A game development.
A delay would be a blow, but not a surprise
If Henderson’s predictions come true and GTA 6 gets pushed to October 2026, it’ll be a tough pill for fans to swallow. The twelve-year wait since Grand Theft Auto V already feels like an eternity. But considering how Rockstar operates — and how much is riding on this game — a delay would also make sense.
Let’s be real: this isn’t just the most anticipated game of the decade. It might be the most anticipated game … ever. Expectations are thunderously high. A misstep at launch would be unthinkable.
What’s next for GTA 6?
With eight months still to go before May 2026, a lot can happen. Rockstar hasn’t officially commented on any second delay beyond the one announced earlier this year. If development stays on track, it’s entirely possible we see GTA 6 hit shelves in time for next year’s blockbuster season. But if they need the time, October could be the safer, cleaner launch window.
Until Rockstar says otherwise, all we have are rumours, and a bit of hope. Either way, buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride until official news drops.