GTA 5 Will Be Removed From PS Plus Just Before GTA 6 Releases, It Seems
Grand Theft Auto 5 will be removed from PlayStation Plus on November 17, 2026, just two days before Grand Theft Auto 6 launches on November 19. The strategically timed removal applies to PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers, and Sony’s notification includes a link directing players to GTA 6’s preorder page.
Rockstar Games and Sony appear to have coordinated the removal to encourage migration to the new title. This reflects common industry practice of clearing predecessor games from subscription services ahead of major sequels. GTA 5 has been a flagship title on PlayStation Plus, having sold an impressive 230 million copies globally since its 2013 release.
Sony’s messaging to subscribers frames the timing strategically, asking players, “If you’re counting down the days until GTA 6 arrives on PS5 on November 19, why not take a trip to Los Santos in the meantime?” This suggests the platform holder and publisher are using the subscription service as a promotional tool to drive GTA 6 sales.
Players who wish to continue playing GTA 5 or GTA Online after November 17 will need to purchase the game separately. The removal date provides subscribers with approximately one month’s notice to complete their experience with the thirteen-year-old title before it becomes unavailable through their subscription.