The Champions League round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday. Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) won the second stage of Paris-Nice in Montargis. Novak Djokovic qualified for the third round of the Indian Wells tournament. In the NBA, Victor Wembanyama was named Player of the Week.

Even though GTA 6 is coming out in 2026, GTA Online is still a great game to get into this year. Since it was released in 2013, Rockstar Games has grown the game into the massive multiplayer playground it is today. Everyone can find their niche gaming hobbies in GTA Online, from racing, deathmatches, role-playing, and even harmless, hilarious game modes.

However, if you are entering GTA Online for the first time in 2026, you must know certain details for a smooth entry into its world. Here are some of the details.

What you need to know before starting GTA Online in 2026

Age restriction in some regions

Firstly, it is worth noting that GTA Online is an 18+ video game, especially since it has nudity and violence. Recently, many countries have imposed strict rules for verifying age for accessing any kind of online content. This also includes GTA Online.

In August 2025, the UK was one of the first countries to make age verification mandatory for online content, under the Online Safety Act. In March 2026, Australia also mandated age verification for any entertainment product that contains adult content.

Hence, if you want to start GTA Online, chances are that you might need to verify your age through a third-party portal. The portal can differ from country to country.

Also Read: GTA Online will now require age verification for some countries

Past and future DLCs

Rockstar Games has added loads of DLC to GTA Online, almost twice every year since its release. Each of these DLCs has included new cars, weapons, businesses, missions, and even characters. These new features keep players hooked, especially those who have businesses or heists with decent payouts, like the Cayo Perico heist.

Most recently, A Safehouse in the Hills DLC dropped in December 2025, in which mansions were added to the game, along with Michael De Santa as a side character. Because of these two features alone, it is considered one of the best DLCs for the game.

Since GTA 6 will release on November 19, 2026, there is still time for a final DLC for GTA 5 Online in the summer. If you are planning to start the game in 2026, you could start grinding to get a mansion, which could play a key part in the last DLC coming sometime in the summer.

Which businesses to own

Once you start GTA Online, you can be overwhelmed by the number of businesses and properties you can purchase. There are a total of two in-game websites from which you purchase businesses. For a new player, here are some of the best properties/vehicles to purchase and start earning money quickly:

• Brickade 6×6 – Acid Lab
• MC Business – Meth Lab
• Kosatka – Cayo Perico Heist
• Salvage Yard – Salvage Yard Robberies

Of course, there are various other great properties that can be a bit expensive, but are lucrative for slightly late-game grind, like Bunker, Nightclub, Agency, etc.

Which vehicles to own

GTA Online has a wide variety of vehicles. You can use anything from a bicycle to massive fighter jets and submarines. If you are new to the game, you can check out these vehicles to purchase:

• Karin Kuruma (Armored) – Fast and armored sports car
• Nightshark – Heavy-duty SUV with a ton of armor
• Buzzard – Great cheap helicopter to fly around the map
• Kosatka – Submarine that allows you to start Cayo Perico Heist

Griefers and hackers in GTA Online

If you are entering GTA Online in 2026, you should know that the game is heavily plagued by griefers and hackers. Even though Rockstar Games has partnered with BattleEye anti-cheat software, some tech-savvy enthusiasts create hack tools that can bypass it. Furthermore, there are some players who simply create chaos for others in lobbies.

Hence, if you are new to the game, it is best to do all the major business missions in an invite-only lobby.

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