Miami Wants To Turn The City Into 'GTA 6' And Cops Aren't Happy About It

5 days ago 8

Published Sep 4, 2026, 2:01 PM EDT

Miami-Dade's Sheriff and other government officials disapprove of GTA 6's themes

Though Grand Theft Auto 6 takes place in a fictional American state called Leonida, Rockstar's massive map recreates some areas of Florida. For Florida's tourism sector, then, the immediate popularity of GTA 6 is a dream come true. Some government officials in the state were hoping to capitalize on the public's vast excitement over the game, but they're now facing pushback from local law enforcement.

In late August 2026, The Miamian reported that Miami-Dade officials put together a pitch deck for a potential partnership with Rockstar Games, GTA 6's developer. In it, county representatives proposed a marketing plan to surround the city with GTA-related advertisements. The branding would be visible from the moment a visitor stepped off a plane at the Miami airport. Officials suggested things like GTA 6-related baggage claim areas, luggage carts, and themed signage around the facilities. Once in the city proper, visitors can enjoy things like GTA 6-inspired artwork and sculptures, Vice City-themed manhole covers, and installations around the area that inform people about the real-world inspirations behind the game. The pitch deck even suggested a "family-appropriate" car event themed around the open-world game.

Rockstar has not yet signed off on the proposal, nor is there any indication that the idea will move forward. A few days after the pitch deck was shared with the public, however, Miami-Dade's Sheriff's Office decried the idea. The Miami Herald reported that Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz openly disapproved of the idea of working with a video game that promotes criminal activity.

Why is Miami-Dade's Sheriff Against Working With GTA 6?

“Its fictional world includes murder, robbery, drug trafficking, carjacking, violence against law enforcement, and other conduct that the men and women of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office work every single day to prevent," Cordero-Stutz told the publication. Similar sentiments were expressed by other local officials in Miami-Dade, but at least some of them acknowledged the potential economic benefits the plan could bring.

The Miami Herald also pointed out that the Sheriff's Office is currently seeking a 12% increase to its $1.2 billion budget for 2027 — money that, should the budget be approved, would come out of the taxpayer's pocket. The original Miami-Dade proposal encouraged Rockstar to pay the county for the promotion, which in turn could theoretically help fund additional government expenses. In 2025, Miami-Dade eased a $400 million funding deficit by increasing water and sewage fees for residents and cutting funding to an office that helped residents obtain U.S. citizenship.

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