Leonida is the fictional US state that serves as the main setting of Grand Theft Auto VI. GTA VI spans the state from Vice City to surrounding coastal, industrial, wetland and rural areas.1

Overview

Leonida is Rockstar's modern satire of Florida. Beyond Vice City, the state includes the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga National Park.2

The state combines dense city streets, beach resorts, island communities, wetlands, industrial districts and mountain country. That range matters to GTA VI because Jason and Lucia's story is described as a criminal conspiracy extending across Leonida, rather than being confined to Vice City.3

Florida influence

Building Leonida took years of research in Miami and the surrounding area, including visits by Rockstar teams and work by researchers based in the city. The writers met former criminals, police officers, club promoters and gun dealers to develop its characters. Clothing and body types also vary by place, from Little Cuba's city streets to Mount Kalaga's wilderness.6

Rockstar's trailers and screenshots use recognizable Florida influences while presenting them through fictional places and institutions. Vice City provides the Miami-style urban center; the Leonida Keys echo the Florida Keys; Grassrivers represents the state's wetland landscape; and Port Gellhorn provides a more run-down Gulf Coast setting.

The name Leonida may refer to Juan Ponce de León, whose expedition is part of Florida's documented colonial history.4

Leonida's state seal visually parodies Florida's official seal.5

Known regions and settlements

Major destinations

Known counties and communities

Other named counties and communities include Kelly County, Leonard County, Vice-Dale County, Hamlet, Key Lento, Waning Sands, Watson Bay and Yorktown.

Government and media

Known public institutions include the Leonida Department of Corrections, Vice City Police Department and Vice-Dale Police Department.

Rockstar also uses fictional social-media clips and outlets such as Mega Noticias to present the state's residents and events. The recurring Leonida Man label is a clear parody of Florida's reputation for bizarre viral headlines.

Notable residents

GTA VI protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos live in Leonida. Stefanie interviews Lucia during her incarceration in Trailer 1.7 The trailers and destination material introduce many more people across the state.

Screenshots

Typical example of landscape and infrastructure in the State of Leonida, as seen in the first trailer of GTA VI.
Official screenshot of Vice City within the State of Leonida.
Official screenshot of Vice City at night time within the State of Leonida.
Official screenshot of the Leonida Keys, which is inspired by the real-life Florida Keys.
A closer look at the community within the Leonida Keys.
The official screenshot of the Grassrivers in the State of Leonida.
Official screenshot showing Mount Kalaga National Park in GTA VI.
A person kayaking at the Mount Kalaga National Park.
The wilderness of Mount Kalaga National Park.

Videos / Trailers

References

  1. Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to launch November 19, 2026, Rockstar Games, published May 26, 2026.

  2. Grand Theft Auto VI screenshots, Rockstar Games, accessed July 28, 2026.

  3. Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar Games, accessed July 28, 2026.

  4. European exploration and colonization, Florida Department of State, accessed July 28, 2026.

  5. Florida State Seal, Florida Department of State, accessed July 28, 2026.

  6. Dazed: GTA VI exclusive developer feature, August 26, 2026

  7. Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto VI, Watch Trailer 1 Now