Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for November 19, 2026, but Xbox Series X and Series S players can try changing their console location to New Zealand for an earlier start. The method depends on a regional release schedule, and it has not been confirmed to work for GTA 6.
Change your Xbox location to New Zealand
The trick uses the console’s location setting, rather than a separate edition of the game. To try it, follow these steps on your Xbox Series X or Series S:
- Turn on your console and sign in to your account.
- Open Settings.
- Select System, then Language & Localization.
- Change Location to New Zealand.
- Restart your console.
After the restart, the console location will be set to New Zealand. That change alone does not guarantee access before your local release time.
When New Zealand midnight falls in your time zone
If GTA 6 unlocks on Xbox at midnight in New Zealand on November 19, that moment will fall on November 18 in the other regions below. These are conversions of the same proposed unlock time, not confirmed Xbox release times.
| Region | Equivalent time |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 00:00 NZDT, November 19 |
| US West Coast (PST) | 03:00 PST, November 18 |
| US Central (CST) | 05:00 CST, November 18 |
| US East Coast (EST) | 06:00 EST, November 18 |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 11:00 GMT, November 18 |
| Central Europe (CET) | 12:00 CET, November 18 |
| India (IST) | 16:30 IST, November 18 |
| Japan (JST) | 20:00 JST, November 18 |
In September, PlayStation Store timestamps pointed to a possible regional rollout that would put New Zealand 18 hours ahead of the US East Coast. Those timestamps did not establish the Xbox release schedule.
Would you try the location change for an earlier start in GTA 6? Follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram as the November launch approaches.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Developed by Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.
- Genre Shooter, Racing, Adventure
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
- Perspective First person, Third person
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release November 19, 2026
- Publisher Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive
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Age Rating
