Did the GTA 6 delay help Battlefield 6 secure a FY26 release? Possibilities explored

GTA 6 and Battlefield 6 are two highly-anticipated video games. The former will be Rockstar Games' first new entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise since 2013, and the latter is EA's successor to 2021's Battlefield 2042. The two aren't linked in any way, but the upcoming Grand Theft Auto entry getting delayed might have been a factor in EA's decision regarding its own title's final release window.

This theory stems from a relatively recent statement by the company's CEO, and even though GTA 6 wasn't mentioned directly, the timing does make it seem so. In this article, we will explore if there are any possibilities of the Grand Theft Auto 6 delay aiding Battlefield 6 decide on a FY26 release.

Note: This article is purely speculative and only reflects the writer's opinions and analysis.

Exploring possibilities of the GTA 6 delay playing a factor in Battlefield 6's FY26 release window

Rockstar announces Grand Theft Auto 6 is delayed (Image via Rockstar Games)

On May 2, 2025, Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto 6's release had been delayed to May 26, 2026. Originally, the title was targeting a Fall 2025 release window, so possibly sometime in the latter half of September, October, or November. Some other studios were reportedly waiting for its concrete release date announcement to plan their own titles' launch, likely to avoid any potential competition.

Check out: 15 unfinished details in GTA 6 trailers and screenshots

Interestingly, Electronic Arts (EA) held its Q4 2025 earnings call only a few days after the GTA 6 delay announcement. During the event, EA's CEO, Andrew Wilson, reportedly stated that the upcoming Battlefield game's release window was "clearer than it was before." Here's his statement:

"I think now, without going too far, we believe that window is clearer than it was before, and we feel very good about launching Battlefield in FY 26."

Also check: Did Ozzy Osbourne ever work on GTA?

For those wondering, a Fiscal Year (FY) is different from a Calendar Year, and FY26 should end before April 2026. Since this would allow Battlefield 6 to come out before Grand Theft Auto 6, and as the release window was stated to be clearer than before just days after the GTA 6 delay announcement, there does seem to be some possibility of the Rockstar Games title helping EA decide on a FY26 launch window for its next Battlefield entry.

An exact release date is yet to be announced, but it might be provided through Battlefield 6's official reveal trailer, which is set to premiere in less than 24 hours from this writing.

As for Grand Theft Auto 6, it is set for a May 26, 2026, launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

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About the author

Suyash is an Esports and Gaming journalist at Sportskeeda who specializes in Rockstar Games' GTA franchise. Suyash uses in-depth research and knowledge of his immense experience with the game series to ensure readers have access to the most reliable information. His insightful content pieces have raked in more than 5 million views in just a little over a year's time.

Suyash holds a B.Tech degree and ventured into the world of gaming at a young age through the Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy. However, upon encountering GTA Vice City’s 1980s aesthetic, music, and vintage cars, he became enamored with the game, leading him to explore the rest of the franchise.

Suyash prefers solo titles to multiplayer, especially ones with a well-crafted story and character arcs. He admires journalist Jason Schreier for the respect he commands in the industry and the reliability of his news pieces. To ensure the accuracy of his own pieces, he checks multiple reputable sources and insiders.

If he were to recommend a game to a skeptic, it would be Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series. When he’s not roaming the streets of Los Santos in GTA V, you can find him playing football, watching movies, or working out.

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Edited by Niladri Roy