How to get early access to GTA 6
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GTA 6 is scheduled to unlock at midnight local time on November 19, 2026, with New Zealand’s listed release about 18 hours before the US East Coast.
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With a VPN, you can change your virtual location to New Zealand for early GTA 6 access, but you’ll also need to set your Xbox location or use a New Zealand PSN account and store purchase on PS5.
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Preorder and preload the game ahead of launch so you’re ready when it becomes available.
After more than 13 years of waiting, GTA 6 is set to launch on November 19, 2026. The game will release at midnight local time, which means players in New Zealand will get access first, about 18 hours before those on the US East Coast.
A VPN can help you access the game at the New Zealand release time by routing your console’s internet connection through a New Zealand server. For this trick to work, you’ll also need to set your Xbox location to New Zealand or create a New Zealand PSN account and buy the game through its PlayStation Store.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the VPN method for getting early access to GTA 6 and which services work best for it.
How to get early GTA 6 access on Xbox
To get early GTA 6 access on Xbox, you will need to install a VPN on your router, connect to a New Zealand server, and share that connection with your console. Here’s how that works in detailed steps:
- Preorder GTA 6 and preload it before launch.
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN with servers in New Zealand, such as NordVPN.
- Set up your VPN on a compatible router or share the VPN connection from a computer.
- Connect your Xbox to that network and choose a New Zealand VPN server.
- On your Xbox, go to Profile & system > Settings > System > Language & location.
- Set Location to New Zealand, then restart the console.
- When it's midnight in New Zealand on November 19, open GTA 6 to enjoy early access in the US.
How to get early GTA 6 access on PS5
To get early GTA 6 access on PlayStation, you’ll need to use a VPN connected to a server in New Zealand, but you’ll also need to create a New Zealand PSN account. While it’s a bit more complicated than with Xbox, it is still doable:
- Subscribe to a trusted VPN, such as NordVPN, then download and install it on your router or computer. Connect to a server in New Zealand.
- Create a new PSN account and select New Zealand as its country or region. PlayStation doesn’t let you change an account’s country or region after it’s created.
- Connect your PS5 to a router or a computer via a VPN server in New Zealand.
- Sign in to the New Zealand account and preorder GTA 6 from the New Zealand PlayStation Store.
- Preload the game, then open GTA 6 when it becomes available in that store region and start playing.
If you’ve already preordered GTA 6 through your US or another regional account, you’ll need to buy a separate copy through the New Zealand store for this method. Unfortunately, your existing preorder stays tied to its original account and store region.
GTA 6 release times around the world
Rockstar confirms that GTA 6 will release at midnight local time on November 19 in all regions. The release times below are based on the PlayStation and Xbox Store listings as they are now, so check your own store listing closer to launch in case anything changes.
| Location | Local release time | Same moment in US Eastern time |
| Auckland, New Zealand | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (NZDT) | 6:00 a.m., Nov 18 |
| Sydney, Australia | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (AEDT) | 8:00 a.m., Nov 18 |
| Tokyo, Japan | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (JST) | 10:00 a.m., Nov 18 |
| New Delhi, India | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (IST) | 1:30 p.m., Nov 18 |
| Berlin, Germany | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (CET) | 6:00 p.m., Nov 18 |
| London, UK | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (GMT) | 7:00 p.m., Nov 18 |
| São Paulo, Brazil | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (BRT) | 10:00 p.m., Nov 18 |
| New York, US | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 (EST) | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 |
| Chicago, US | 11:00 p.m., Nov 18 (CST) | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 |
| Denver, US | 10:00 p.m., Nov 18 (MST) | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 |
| Los Angeles, US | 9:00 p.m., Nov 18 (PST) | 12:00 a.m., Nov 19 |
Technically, the US times fall at the same moment – at midnight on the East Coast, then earlier in the evening as you move west. In comparison, Auckland’s listed GTA 6 release is 18 hours before that moment.
How the GTA 6 early access New Zealand trick works
The GTA 6 early access New Zealand trick requires using a VPN. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in New Zealand, making it seem as though you are located in the country. This means you’ll be able to access GTA 6 about 18 hours before its scheduled release in the US. For this method to work, you’ll also need to change your Xbox platform region to New Zealand or create a local PSN account and purchase the game through that account’s store. Unfortunately, if you have already purchased GTA 6 on our US PSN account, it won’t carry to your New Zealand one.
The VPN and platform settings have different roles and work together for this GTA 6 early access method to work. The VPN routes your connection through New Zealand, while your Xbox location or PlayStation account determines which regional store or release schedule applies.
What to do before GTA 6 launch
It’s a good idea to preorder and preload Grand Theft Auto 6 before the official launch time. Game preloads begin on November 10 at midnight local time on PS5 and globally at 12:00 a.m. GMT on Xbox. The download can require up to 212 GB of free space, so it’s worth checking your storage before then.
Once the game is preordered and preloaded, you’ll also need a way to connect your console through a VPN for early access. Xbox and PlayStation don’t natively support VPN apps, so you can set up the VPN on a compatible router or share the connection from a computer.
Best VPNs for GTA 6 New Zealand early access
To find the best VPNs for GTA 6 early access, I looked for services with servers in New Zealand, fast connection speeds, and router compatibility. Ultimately, NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN proved to be the best match for the task.
- NordVPN – overall best GTA 6 VPN with the fastest connection speeds, servers in Auckland, New Zealand, and router support.
- Proton VPN – privacy-first VPN for GTA 6 early access with 83+ servers in Auckland, New Zealand, router support, and relatively low ping.
- ExpressVPN – an easy-to-use VPN to get GTA 6 early with consistent connection speeds, router compatibility, and straightforward apps.
Wrapping up
After 13 years of waiting, chances are, you’ll want to get your hands on GTA 6 as soon as possible. And since the game unlocks at midnight in each region, New Zealand will get access about 18 hours earlier than the US.
Fortunately, you can use a VPN to change your console’s virtual location to New Zealand to get early GTA 6 access. For this method to work, select a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, install it on your router, connect to a New Zealand server, and share the protected network with your console. Then, change your Xbox region to New Zealand or create a New Zealand PSN account and start playing GTA 6 18 hours before its official US launch.
Can a VPN get me early access to GTA 6?
Yes, a VPN can help you get early access to GTA 6 by routing your console’s connection through a New Zealand server. Use a reliable VPN with servers in New Zealand, such as NordVPN, and install it on your router so it works with your console. You’ll also need to change your Xbox location or use a New Zealand PSN account and store purchase on PS5.
How much earlier does GTA 6 release in New Zealand?
Auckland’s release is about 18 hours before the US East Coast release. It’s scheduled for midnight on November 19 in New Zealand, which is 11:00 a.m. UTC on November 18.
Do I need to buy GTA 6 again for the PS5 method?
Yes, if you preordered GTA 6 through your US PlayStation account, you will need to buy it again. You’ll need a separate copy from the New Zealand PlayStation Store because PlayStation account regions can’t be changed after creation.
Can I preload GTA 6 before using the New Zealand trick?
Yes, GTA 6 preloading begins on November 10. The PS5 preload starts at midnight local time, while the Xbox preload starts globally at 12:00 a.m. GMT. The game can require up to 212 GB of free space.
Do I need a VPN app on my Xbox or PS5?
No, you don’t need a VPN app on your console, but you’ll need one on your router or computer for the GTA 6 early access method to work. Consoles do not natively support VPN apps, but you can connect them via a VPN-enabled router or by sharing a VPN connection from a computer. The VPN app runs on that device, and the console connects to its network.
