GTA 6 YouTube Livestream: Start Time and How to Watch the 24-Hour Launch Event

GTA 6 launch night already had enough going on. Now YouTube is turning it into a 24-hour watch party.

YouTube and Rockstar Games are partnering on a Grand Theft Auto VI launch stream featuring gameplay, creator shows, and coverage from Miami. If you’re waiting for your preload to unlock—or just want to see Leonida take over the internet—here’s the schedule.

When does the GTA 6 YouTube livestream start?

The main 24-hour stream begins Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. Eastern. RDCWorld will host a pre-show beginning Wednesday, November 18, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

On the West Coast, that’s 8:00 p.m. Pacific on November 18 for the pre-show and 9:00 p.m. Pacific for the main stream.

Where can you watch it?

Head to YouTube’s official channel. YouTube also says its GTA VI-themed homepage logo will link viewers to the broadcast during launch.

The planned lineup includes live gameplay, creator podcasts, original content, and coverage from Miami. YouTube names Caylus, Zhong and Kat, Jelly, Rivers, Jake Baldino, and Cinna among the participating creators.

Are the livestream gifts free copies of GTA 6?

No. YouTube says eligible viewers on select creator livestreams may be able to claim and send one of five limited GTA VI-themed virtual gifts while supplies last. These are on-screen livestream gifts, not copies of the game.

There’s also a “Visit Vice City” effect planned for YouTube Shorts. I’m expecting launch week to produce approximately one million videos of people pretending they already live in Leonida.

Our launch-night plan

The RDCWorld pre-show starts an hour before the main event, so that’s the point to open the stream, check your download, and settle in. You don’t have to watch all 24 hours—but let’s be honest, somebody will.

We’ll update this post if YouTube publishes a more detailed running order or a direct livestream link.

Source: YouTube’s GTA VI launch announcement.