GTA 6 pre-load starts November 10

GTA 6 pre-loading begins on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, nine days before the November 19 launch, Rockstar Games announced on its Newswire on November 3. That is two days earlier than the November 12 date that had been expected, and Rockstar also gave the first official download size: up to 212GB.

When pre-load opens on PS5 and Xbox#

The two consoles start differently:

• PS5: "at midnight local time in your respective time zone" on November 10, so each region opens at its own midnight.
• Xbox Series X|S: "globally on Tuesday, November 10 at 12 a.m. GMT", one moment for everyone.

Our conversion of the Xbox time: 12 a.m. GMT on November 10 is 7 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. PT on Monday, November 9, and 9 a.m. KST on November 10. So in the Americas, Xbox owners can start the download the evening before PS5 owners.

Pre-loading only downloads the files. The game stays locked until your region unlocks on November 19: the release time guide has the unlock hour for each region.

Boxed copies: codes from November 12#

Rockstar says code-in-box versions for both consoles "should be available from retailers beginning November 12." The box holds a download code, not a disc, so someone who buys it that day can redeem the code and pre-load for the last week. Buyers of a digital copy get two extra days.

The download needs up to 212GB#

Rockstar's post says "the pre-load file will require up to 212 GB depending on your device." It does not break the figure down by console. Before today the only number was 210GB on PS5, from PlayStation backend data reported on October 27, so the official figure lands close to it. Clear the space before November 10, and keep some room for any launch-day update, which Rockstar has not sized. Our file size guide has the free space on each console.

A free poster and map on launch day#

Rockstar also says that on November 19 it will add a printable GTA 6 cover art poster and a map of Leonida as a free digital download on the official site. A double-sided physical version will follow "shortly after launch" on the Rockstar Store, for $0.99 on its own or free with any Rockstar Store purchase.

What to do now#

This is our advice, not Rockstar's:

1. Pre-order digitally if you want the full nine-day window. Rockstar's post links to the editions page, and our price guide compares the two editions.
2. Free up to 212GB before November 10.
3. Update your PS5 system software first: see our report on the PS5 firmware requirement.
4. Start the download on November 10 and let it run.

The pre-load guide has the full checklist and is updated with the new date, and the release date guide has the whole launch-week schedule. Rockstar points to its support site for step-by-step pre-load instructions; that page did not load when we checked on November 3.