If you cannot play GTA 6 at midnight — or you simply want to watch someone else go in first — YouTube is running a 24-hour livestream from 12 a.m. ET on November 19 at youtube.com/youtube. Confirmed
It is an official partnership with Rockstar, announced on YouTube's own blog, not a fan effort. Confirmed
The schedule
A pre-show hosted by RDCWorld starts an hour earlier, at 11 p.m. ET on November 18. The main stream then runs a full 24 hours and finishes with live coverage from Miami alongside creators and guests. Confirmed
Worth noting for the timing: New Zealand unlocks the game well before the stream begins, so the first real gameplay in the world will already be out there by midnight ET. If you are avoiding story details, our guide on how to avoid GTA 6 spoilers is the thing to read first.
What time that is where you are
| Region | Pre-show | 24-hour stream |
|---|---|---|
| US Eastern | 11 p.m., Nov 18 | 12 a.m., Nov 19 |
| US Pacific | 8 p.m., Nov 18 | 9 p.m., Nov 18 |
| UK (GMT) | 4 a.m., Nov 19 | 5 a.m., Nov 19 |
| Central Europe | 5 a.m., Nov 19 | 6 a.m., Nov 19 |
| India (IST) | 9:30 a.m., Nov 19 | 10:30 a.m., Nov 19 |
Converted from the times in YouTube's announcement. For the game's own unlock times, see our release time guide.
Who is on it
YouTube names Caylus, Zhong and Kat, Jelly, Rivers, Jake Baldino and Cinna, and says more are involved. Confirmed
Other outlets put the full line-up at more than 30 creators from over a dozen countries, including the Indian channels Total Gaming, Payal Gaming and Sharkshe. YouTube has not published a complete list or a segment-by-segment timetable. Reported
How to find it
The stream lives on YouTube's own channel. YouTube is also putting a custom GTA VI-themed logo — a Yoodle — on the homepage, and clicking it takes you straight into the broadcast. Confirmed
The rest of the launch-week package
Alongside the stream, YouTube is adding five limited-edition GTA VI gifts for live streams, one of them carrying a Wanted Stars animation, claimable on selected creator streams while supplies last. There is also a Shorts effect, GTAVI: Visit Vice City, that drops you against Vice City backdrops. Confirmed
On YouTube Music, the official soundtrack and a playlist spanning the whole series will sit on the homepage through launch week. Confirmed
Why YouTube is doing this
The numbers explain it. YouTube says the Grand Theft Auto series has passed 900 billion views on the platform, and that pre-launch GTA 6 videos alone have topped 40 billion. Confirmed
That is the context for a 24-hour takeover and a homepage logo change: GTA is one of the largest single subjects on the platform, and launch night is the peak. The stream was produced with Entropico. Confirmed
FAQ
What time does YouTube's GTA 6 livestream start?
The 24-hour stream starts at 12 a.m. ET on November 19, 2026. That is 9 p.m. Pacific on November 18, 5 a.m. GMT and 10:30 a.m. IST on November 19.
Where can I watch it?
On YouTube's own channel at youtube.com/youtube. A GTA VI-themed logo on the YouTube homepage, called a Yoodle, also links straight to the broadcast.
Who hosts the pre-show?
RDCWorld, starting at 11 p.m. ET on November 18, an hour before the main stream.
Which creators are taking part?
YouTube names Caylus, Zhong and Kat, Jelly, Rivers, Jake Baldino and Cinna, and says more are involved. Other outlets report more than 30 creators from over a dozen countries.
How long is the stream?
Twenty-four hours. It ends with live on-the-ground coverage from Miami alongside creators and special guests.
Is it official?
Yes. YouTube announced it on its own blog as a partnership with Rockstar Games, and the stream was produced with Entropico.
Sources
- YouTube Blog — YouTube celebrates the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI
- Notebookcheck — YouTube to host 24-hour GTA 6 release date livestream
- Streams Charts — YouTube announces 24-hour GTA 6 launch marathon
- TalkEsport — Indian creators join the 24-hour livestream
