Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online To Officially Release in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates After 12-Year Ban

The games will be officially available in the two countries starting July 17, 2025.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5
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Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online launched back in 2013 and became a massive global hit. But despite its worldwide success, the game was never officially released in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Saudi Arabia. That’s about to change.

The General Authority for Media Regulation in Saudi Arabia (via Kotaku) posted on X/Twitter confirming that both games will finally be available in the country. The games will be available in Saudi markets on July 17, 2025, with an age rating of “21 and above.”

PlayStation Arabia’s official X/Twitter account also announced that the games will release in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE on July 17. The games were originally banned in both countries due to their depictions of drug use, violence, and explicit content.

While GTA V may have been available in these countries through unofficial sources before, this official release likely paves the way for Grand Theft Auto 6 to arrive there too.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 1 Stills

Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto

Rockstar recently announced fans will have to wait a bit longer, as the GTA 6 has been delayed to 2026. It was originally planned for release later this year. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, previously confirmed that GTA 6's development began in 2020 after the success of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Source: IgnIndia

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