Los Santos is about to lose its place in the PlayStation Plus library at a particularly awkward moment. With GTA 5 leaving PS Plus on November 17, subscribers have just nine days to revisit Rockstar’s modern crime classic before GTA 6 arrives on November 19. And there is another difficult goodbye: Red Dead Redemption 2 is disappearing from the Game Catalog on the same day.
For anyone halfway through Michael, Franklin and Trevor’s adventures, or still following Arthur Morgan across the American frontier, this is more than a routine subscription update. It is a deadline worth putting on the calendar.
GTA 5 leaving PS Plus: your nine-day countdown starts now
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, marks the departure of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Both appear in Sony’s Last Chance to Play section, which identifies titles approaching removal from Extra and Premium memberships.
GTA V is available through the catalog in its PS5 and PS4 versions. Meanwhile, Red Dead Redemption 2 is offered as a PS4 game, although PS5 owners can also enjoy it through backward compatibility. Players can check Sony’s official PlayStation Plus games catalog for the current selection and departure information.
The calendar makes this particular rotation unusual. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch on Thursday, November 19, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Consequently, there is only a two-day gap between the subscription departures and Rockstar’s return to Vice City.
That timing creates a natural opportunity for one final Los Santos visit. However, it should not be interpreted as proof that Rockstar deliberately coordinated the removals with GTA 6. No such connection has been confirmed.
GTA 5 leaving PS Plus: what should you finish first?
Nine days might sound generous, but enormous open-world games have a habit of swallowing entire evenings. Rather than trying to complete everything, subscribers should decide which unfinished adventure matters most.
For GTA V players, the sensible approach is to prioritize the main campaign. Focus on story missions, character developments and the final stretch of Michael, Franklin and Trevor’s journey. Collectibles, optional challenges and lengthy detours can wait if your goal is to experience the ending before November 17.
Red Dead Redemption 2 presents a tougher choice. Arthur Morgan’s story rewards patience, exploration and quieter moments between missions. Rushing through every chapter can undermine much of its emotional impact. Therefore, players still near the beginning may prefer to enjoy a few memorable sessions rather than force themselves through the entire campaign.
There is also a compelling reason to revisit GTA V even if you completed it years ago. Returning to Los Santos offers a chance to appreciate Rockstar’s previous approach to open-world storytelling before discovering the new Vice City. As explored in our analysis of Rockstar’s GTA 6 launch-quality strategy, expectations for its successor extend far beyond impressive visuals.
Still, nobody needs to turn their remaining subscription time into homework. Finishing one meaningful chapter is arguably more satisfying than spending nine days chasing completion percentages.
Other PS Plus games disappearing on November 17
Rockstar’s blockbusters are attracting attention, but they are not the only games approaching their departure date. Sony’s Last Chance to Play selection also includes several very different experiences, giving subscribers more decisions to make before the deadline.
Among the departing titles are The Talos Principle 2 (PS5), Football Manager 26 (PS5), and Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (PS5 and PS4). These games appeal to audiences interested in philosophical puzzles, football management and colorful platforming rather than sprawling crime adventures.
Additional departures include Cricket 24, Hotshot Racing, Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break, Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair, Rapala Fishing Pro Series and Yet Another Zombie Defense HD.
For players who prefer shorter sessions, this broader selection could actually be more manageable than starting another massive Rockstar campaign. Hotshot Racing, for example, offers arcade racing that fits naturally into a busy week, while The Talos Principle 2 rewards players interested in solving thoughtful puzzles.
It is worth reviewing your own unfinished games before automatically choosing the biggest name. A nearly completed smaller adventure may be the most realistic victory before November 17.
Will your saves survive, and could Rockstar’s games return?
The most important distinction concerns how PlayStation Plus licenses work. Extra and Premium Game Catalog titles stop being playable through the subscription once they leave, even if they remain installed on your console. To continue afterward, players generally need to purchase the game or obtain access through another valid license.
This differs from PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games. Once claimed during their availability window, those monthly titles remain accessible while the required subscription is active. Catalog departures do not offer that same ongoing entitlement.
Fortunately, losing catalog access does not automatically erase your progress. Save data is separate from the subscription game’s availability. If you purchase the same compatible version later, you can generally resume your adventure, although edition and platform differences can affect save compatibility.
Before November 17, check that your saves are backed up. PlayStation Plus cloud storage can provide an additional safeguard, while local saves should also be preserved. PS4 and PS5 save-management options differ, so confirm that the correct data is available before switching versions or consoles.
Buying either Rockstar adventure is another option, but there is no reason to rush into paying full price simply because a catalog deadline is approaching. Compare available editions, consider whether you genuinely intend to return, and remember that a future discount may be more attractive.
Could Rockstar’s games return to PlayStation Plus?
Rockstar titles have rotated through subscription services before. Nevertheless, there is currently no announced return date for GTA V or Red Dead Redemption 2. Subscribers should not assume that either game will reappear immediately after leaving.
Sony has also yet to reveal November’s incoming Extra and Premium Game Catalog lineup. That announcement is separate from the monthly PlayStation Plus selection, which already includes Dead Island 2, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered and Monster Train 2. Our November 2026 PS Plus monthly games guide explains what subscribers can claim and keep accessing with an active membership.
Ultimately, GTA 5 leaving PS Plus creates a strangely fitting countdown to the next Grand Theft Auto. Nine days remain to settle unfinished business in Los Santos, spend more time with Arthur Morgan or simply enjoy one last familiar drive before Vice City takes center stage. Which Rockstar adventure deserves your final sessions?
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
