It’s been over two months since Rockstar released GTA 6 Trailer 2, and fans around the world are now eagerly asking: When will Trailer 3 arrive? and What’s the full timeline leading up to the game's release? Based on Rockstar’s past patterns and recent developments, here’s everything we know so far about what’s coming next.

GTA 6 Is Now on Console Wishlists
A small but exciting step forward: GTA 6 is now available to wishlist on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox. While this doesn’t confirm a release date or pre-order window just yet, it signals that we’re getting much closer to launch. For many players, seeing the game listed on official console stores makes it feel more real than ever.

Rockstar’s Trailer History Offers Key Clues
To predict when GTA 6 Trailer 3 might drop, it helps to look at how Rockstar handled marketing for its previous blockbuster titles.

For GTA 5, Rockstar released its third trailer about 4–5 months before launch, and the same pattern applied to Red Dead Redemption 2. If GTA 6 follows this trend, the third trailer is expected to drop between late November and early December 2025—about 4 to 6 months before the projected May 2026 release.

Why Rockstar’s Marketing Has Been So Quiet
Unlike the steady marketing cycle for GTA 5 and Red Dead 2, GTA 6 has had an unusually quiet rollout. This is largely due to two major leaks:

- In 2022, over 50 minutes of GTA 6 gameplay was leaked, causing a major disruption to Rockstar’s internal schedule. The hacker responsible has since been caught.

- In 2023, Trailer 1 leaked online roughly 12 hours ahead of its planned debut, forcing Rockstar to release it early.

These unexpected leaks appear to have changed how Rockstar handles its promotions. There was a 17-month silence between Trailer 1 and Trailer 2. When Trailer 2 did arrive, it was dropped without warning—something Rockstar hadn’t done in over a decade. This strategy of staying quiet might continue until the next major trailer.

What to Expect in GTA 6 Trailer 3
Rockstar typically uses the third trailer to highlight characters and the core story:

- GTA 5’s third trailer focused on Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Fans often buy cheap GTA 5 modded accounts to unlock exclusive features and content quickly.

- Red Dead Redemption 2 gave fans a closer look at Arthur Morgan’s story and the Van der Linde gang.

So for GTA 6, Trailer 3 will likely focus on Jason and Lucia, the two main characters. Fans can expect a deeper look at their personalities, backstory, and motivations, as well as how their relationship will drive the game’s narrative.

When Will Pre-Orders Begin?
If Rockstar follows the timeline used for Red Dead Redemption 2, pre-orders will likely open 1–2 months after Trailer 3, sometime between late December 2025 and February 2026. While there’s no official word yet, players are already watching closely for any updates.

Gameplay Reveal Coming in Early 2026
Rockstar usually saves its gameplay reveal for a few months before launch. In past games:

- GTA 5’s gameplay trailer came in July 2013 (two months before release).

- Red Dead Redemption 2 revealed gameplay in August 2018 (also two months before launch).

If GTA 6 stays on track for a May 2026 launch, then expect a gameplay reveal trailer in March 2026.

When Will GTA 6 Online Be Revealed?
Rockstar tends to hold off on announcing the online component until very close to launch. For example, GTA Online was revealed just a month before GTA 5’s release.

Following this pattern, we can expect GTA 6 Online to be revealed around April 2026, only a few weeks before the full game launches.

The Road Ahead: Key Dates to Watch
Here’s a simplified timeline of what fans can expect between now and the launch of GTA 6:

- Now: GTA 6 is available to wishlist on PlayStation 5 and Xbox.

- Late November – Early December 2025: Trailer 3 drops, revealing more about Jason and Lucia.

- December 2025 – February 2026: Pre-orders officially open.

- March 2026: Gameplay reveal trailer goes live.

- April 2026: GTA 6 Online gets revealed.

- May 2026: GTA 6 launches worldwide.

Despite the irregular marketing and unexpected leaks, Rockstar appears to be settling into a more traditional promotional schedule for GTA 6. With the game now visible on consoles and a predictable trailer pattern in place, fans can look forward to a busy and exciting 10 months ahead. The wait may be long, but the payoff is shaping up to be one of the biggest game launches in history.

Stay tuned—Rockstar’s next move might be just around the corner.