- GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- New Zealand will be among the first regions to unlock the game
- Changing your region to New Zealand with a VPN may help you unlock GTA 6 earlier
Grand Theft Auto 6 is almost here. Rockstar Games has confirmed that the game will launch on November 19, 2026, with digital pre-loading starting on November 10. However, players won’t all get access at the same moment. The game will unlock at midnight local time in each region, giving players in countries such as New Zealand an earlier start than those in the US and UK.
This release schedule has raised questions about the so-called New Zealand trick. Some players hope to play GTA 6 earlier by changing their console region or using a VPN. How to access GTA 6 early, and is a VPN necessary?
When does GTA 6 unlock in your region?
Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 will unlock at midnight on November 19, 2026, in each region. This means players won’t all get access at the same time. Instead, the game will become available as midnight arrives in their country.
Here are the expected local unlock times for several major markets:
| Region | GTA 6 release time |
| New Zealand | 12:00 AM NZDT, November 19 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 12:00 AM AEDT, November 19 |
| UK | 12:00 AM GMT, November 19 |
| US (Eastern Time) | 12:00 AM ET, November 19 |
| US (Pacific Time) | 12:00 AM PT, November 19 |
New Zealand is among the first markets to unlock GTA 6. For players on the US East Coast, the New Zealand release time corresponds to 6:00 AM ET on November 18 – around 18 hours before their local launch.
Pre-loading starts on November 10. PS5 players can begin downloading the game at midnight local time, while Xbox pre-loading starts globally at 12:00 AM GMT. However, downloading the game early does not mean you can play it before the official unlock time.
Does the New Zealand trick work for GTA 6?
If you’ve been gaming for a while, you’ve probably heard of the New Zealand trick. It’s a popular move among console players: switch your console’s region to New Zealand, and some games become playable a little earlier, due to the time difference. For example, it is widely discussed that this workaround worked perfectly with Hogwarts Legacy.
Whether the trick will give you a head start this time is still an open question. Each platform handles regional settings, game licenses, and release timing a little differently. Also, Rockstar hasn’t published any instructions or confirmed that changing your region will override the original unlock. Still, there is some optimistic news for Xbox players.
What Xbox Series X|S players need to know
Xbox fans may play GTA 6 early. Switching your console’s location is easy, and you don’t need a new account to do it. Just head to Settings > System > Language & location, choose New Zealand as your console location, and restart your Xbox. That’s it.
Of course, you’ll want to have GTA 6 ready to go. Your location setting doesn’t replace a game license, so make sure you’ve purchased and activated your copy first.
Additionally, Rockstar says GTA 6 Xbox download codes aren’t region-locked, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting your copy set up, wherever you are.
Just keep in mind that nobody has confirmed whether the New Zealand trick will unlock GTA 6 early, so treat it as a fun experiment rather than a sure thing.
What PS5 players need to know
Things work a little differently on PlayStation. Your account’s country or region is set when you create it and cannot be changed afterward, so switching an existing account to the New Zealand store isn’t an option.
Creating a separate New Zealand account could offer another route to exploring the earlier release window. However, it’s not a guaranteed shortcut: using a VPN alone may not be enough, and you may still need a copy purchased from the New Zealand PlayStation Store and a compatible payment method.
There has also been speculation that the New Zealand version could have minor content differences, but no specific gameplay cuts have been confirmed.
Can a VPN help you access GTA 6 earlier?
A VPN changes your public IP address, making websites and online services see the VPN server’s location rather than your usual one. It does not, however, change your console’s location settings, your PlayStation or Microsoft account region, or your game license.
On Xbox, a VPN can route your connection through another country. On PS5, connecting to a New Zealand VPN server will not change your account’s registered region.
If you’re considering a VPN for gaming or added protection on public Wi-Fi, NordVPN is one option to explore, with servers across 167+ countries. A VPN is a secure way to safeguard your privacy. For example, it can also hide your real IP address from other players, helping reduce the risk of targeted DDoS attacks while you game.
What to check before trying a different region
Before attempting the New Zealand trick, check a few things:
- Check the confirmed unlock time for your platform and region.
- Make sure your account and store region are compatible with the version you plan to play.
- Review any regional restrictions on purchases, payment methods, or code redemption.
- Look for evidence that the method has actually unlocked GTA 6 – not just changed the release time displayed in the store.
