GTA 6 release date: Is there early access? The soonest anyone can play.

What’s the earliest you can play GTA 6? Here’s what you need to know.Credit: Carine Schmitt / Hans Lucas / AFP

After more than a decade of waiting, gamers will finally get to play Grand Theft Auto VI in just a few weeks. GTA 6 officially comes out on Nov. 19, 2026. 

However, that’s still too far away for some. GTA fans want to play the game now, or at least as soon as possible. So, when is that? Is there early access for GTA 6?

If you’re hoping to be among the first, unfortunately, it’s too late for that. Some lucky video game reviewers are reportedly already playing the game in anticipation of their coverage being published alongside its release. The embargo for GTA 6 reviews lifts one day before the release date, on Nov. 18. Some reviewers received their codes late last month, and more are going out to gaming and tech news outlets now and over the next couple of weeks.

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What about the average consumer? How can they play the game at the earliest possible date?

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Unfortunately, there is no early access for GTA 6. However, if you pre-order the digital version of the game, you’ll be able to download GTA 6 on Nov. 10, a full 9 days before its release.

Now, the pre-order won’t let you play the game on Nov. 10. The game will remain locked until Nov. 19. But GTA 6is a massive download. It’s reportedly 212 GB. That could take hours to download and install based on your internet connection. By pre-ordering, the game will be ready to play on your gaming console at midnight local time on Nov. 19, giving you the ability to jump into the game the moment it’s officially released.

Still not good enough for you? What if you could trick your console into thinking you’re in a country where the GTA 6 release comes roughly 18 hours earlier? Well, you can. Change your console region settings to New Zealand and connect to the internet through a VPN, and you’ll be able to play GTA 6on Nov. 18. 

Or you can always hop on a flight and take a trip to New Zealand yourself.

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TopicsGamingVideo GamesGrand Theft Auto

Matt Binder joined Mashable’s tech vertical in 2018, where he covers social media, tech policy, cybersecurity, online scams, cryptocurrency, AI, creator news, weird tech, and other related tech beats.