Grand Theft Auto V and Online Officially Approved for Release in Saudi Arabia and UAE
After nearly 12 years since its original global launch in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V and its online counterpart, GTA Online, have finally received official approval for release in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This long-awaited news was confirmed on Thursday, July 3, 2025, by the General Authority for Media Regulation in Saudi Arabia and subsequently by PlayStation Middle East, with an official release date set for Thursday, July 17, 2025.
For over a decade, gamers in these regions had to resort to importing physical copies or using workaround accounts to experience the critically acclaimed open-world crime epic. The approval signifies a major shift in content regulation within the Middle East, particularly for games with mature themes. Both physical and digital copies of the game will be available.
A key detail of this release is the age rating: GTA V and GTA Online will be rated 21+ in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This is a higher classification than the 18+ rating seen in most other countries, reflecting the stricter regulatory processes in place. While specific content censorship, beyond the existing ban on Casino features in GTA Online since 2019, remains unconfirmed, the core Grand Theft Auto V experience is expected to be largely intact for those of appropriate age.
The green light for GTA V also sparks significant optimism for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. Industry analysts, including Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners, suggest that this approval, alongside a deal securing distribution rights for all Take-Two Interactive titles, could pave the way for a simultaneous global launch of GTA VI in the Middle East in May 2026, without the lengthy delays previously experienced.
This long-awaited official arrival of GTA V and GTA Online is a testament to persistent efforts to develop the gaming market in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, opening doors for millions of eager fans to legally purchase and play one of the best-selling video games of all time.
