Starting today, GTA+ subscribers on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S can download and play NBA 2K26 in full through April 20. This is not a demo or trial, but the complete game, free with the $7.99/month subscription.
This is a first for GTA+, as since the service launched in 2022, every game added to its library has been a Rockstar title: Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Bully, L.A. Noire, and Red Dead Redemption.
NBA 2K26 is none of those things, and that's what makes its inclusion interesting. Both Rockstar Games and 2K are owned by Take-Two Interactive which makes this possible. They've always operated independently, but this is the first time Take-Two has pushed the two studios to actually share resources in a visible way. It's a corporate move, but it's one that benefits subscribers.
On top of base game access, GTA+ members also get the NBA 2K26 GTA+ Content Pack, which includes 5,000 VC, six types of Skill Boosts valid for five games each, and a guaranteed Diamond Player Pack.
You'll need a free NBA 2K account to redeem the pack, but the rewards give new players a decent head start, especially the Diamond Player Pack, which helps in MyTEAM, where building a competitive roster from scratch takes a lot of time.
The six-week window is enough to properly explore the game. MyCareer, MyTEAM, and the Eras mode are all accessible. That said, the game is currently in Season 5, so veteran players are well ahead of anyone just jumping in now. It's not impossible to catch up, but it's worth knowing going in.
Once April 20 arrives, access ends. If you want to keep playing after that, Rockstar is offering GTA+ members a 20% discount on purchasing the full game, which normally retails at $70.
The bigger picture here is what this move signals about GTA+'s direction. It launched as a bonus add-on for GTA Online players, expanded to include a classic games library in 2023, and bumped its price from $6 to $7.99 in 2024.
Adding a non-Rockstar title, even temporarily, suggests Take-Two is testing whether GTA+ can become something closer to a full publisher subscription, the kind EA Play and Xbox Game Pass already offer.
Take-Two has plenty of other major franchises, including Borderlands, Civilization, and WWE 2K, that could theoretically show up in the library down the line. For now, if you're already subscribed, March is a good month to be a GTA+ member.
