GTA 6 launch timeline: who plays first

The launch timeline at a glance

• 18 Nov, 6:00 AM ET: New Zealand unlocks first (midnight NZDT). That is 4:00 PM in Pakistan.
• 13 hours later, 18 Nov, 7:00 PM ET: the Miami Heat play the Bucks in their “A Night in Vice City” game. At the same moment, the UK and Ireland unlock (midnight GMT).
• 5 hours later, 19 Nov, 12:00 AM ET: the USA and Canada unlock, about 18 hours after New Zealand.

Unlock time by country

Expected digital unlock, midnight local time in each store region:

Find your exact country on our GTA 6 unlock time page, for example New Zealand or Pakistan.

Interesting launch facts

• New Zealand fans can play for about 18 hours before players in New York.
• Players in Pakistan unlock at midnight PKT, which is 10 hours before the US.
• The UK unlocks at the exact moment the Heat’s Vice City night tips off in Miami.
• The game is set in Vice City, Rockstar’s version of Miami, yet Miami is among the very last places to get it.
• Changing your PlayStation region to New Zealand to play early is risky and can affect your account and purchases. Read our guide first.

Sources

• Miami Heat “A Night in Vice City” (our coverage)
• GTA 6 unlock times by store region (our guide)
• Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto VI

Labels: Official = Rockstar or the company itself, Reported = previews or press, Unconfirmed = not stated by Rockstar.

What to read next

• GTA 6 unlock time in your country
• Miami Heat “A Night in Vice City”
• GTA 6 pre-load time