GTA 6 pre-load starts November 10 and needs up to 212 GB
Rockstar confirms GTA VI pre-loading starts November 10 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, needs up to 212 GB, and physical copies arrive November 12. Times and how to be ready.
You can start downloading GTA VI soon. On November 3, 2026, Rockstar Games confirmed that pre-loading for digital copies begins on Tuesday, November 10 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, nine days before the November 19 launch. You'll need up to 212 GB of free space, and physical code-in-box copies hit stores from November 12.
That's good news for digital pre-order holders: when pre-orders opened in June, Rockstar had put pre-loading on November 12, so it's arriving two days earlier than planned.
When pre-loading starts
The two consoles don't start at the same moment:
- PS5: at midnight local time on November 10, region by region.
- Xbox Series X|S: simultaneously worldwide, at 12 a.m. GMT on November 10.
Here's what that looks like in a few places:
Region | PS5 | Xbox Series X|S |
|---|---|---|
UK and Ireland | 12 a.m., November 10 | 12 a.m., November 10 |
US East Coast (ET) | 12 a.m., November 10 | 7 p.m., November 9 |
US West Coast (PT) | 12 a.m., November 10 | 4 p.m., November 9 |
Australia (Sydney) | 12 a.m., November 10 | 11 a.m., November 10 |
So in the Americas, Xbox owners get a head start on the afternoon or evening of Monday, November 9, while in Australia and Asia it's PS5 players who can start first. Rockstar's support site has step-by-step instructions for each console.
How big is it? Up to 212 GB
The pre-load file needs up to 212 GB depending on your console, so it's worth clearing space now. For reference, a launch PS5 offers roughly 667 GB of usable storage and an Xbox Series S around 364 GB, so GTA VI will eat a big chunk of the drive, especially on Series S.
A 210 GB figure was doing the rounds before the announcement; this is the official number, and since Rockstar describes it as a maximum, it may come in a little smaller on some hardware.
What about physical copies?
The physical versions are code-in-box: there's no game on a disc, just a code to download it. They reach retailers from November 12, so boxed buyers can start downloading from that day, two days after digital pre-order holders.
A free poster and map of Leonida
On launch day, November 19, Rockstar will add a printable cover art poster and a map of Leonida to the official site as a free digital download. A double-sided physical version will follow shortly after on the Rockstar Store, for $0.99 on its own or free with any purchase.
How to be ready to play on day one
- Pre-order digitally if you haven't yet: here's what each edition includes.
- Free up space before November 10: 212 GB is a lot, particularly on Series S.
- Leave the console in rest mode with the download running so it finishes on its own.
- Check your unlock time: on PS5 it's midnight local time, and here's the release time in every region.
