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Forza Horizon 6 launched worldwide on May 19, 2026. Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, the open-world racer is set in Japan and is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Premium Edition owners received early access on May 15.
A PlayStation 5 version is planned for later in 2026, but Microsoft and Forza have not announced an exact PS5 release date.
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Forza Horizon 6 release date and early access
The standard worldwide release date for Forza Horizon 6 was May 19, 2026. Premium Edition players could start playing four days earlier, on May 15. The original “coming 2026” wording is therefore outdated now that the game has launched.
Forza’s official launch announcement confirms the date and the game’s available editions: Forza Horizon 6 is now available.
#1 Best Overall
- DISCOVER JAPAN — Explore Horizon’s largest map ever, set in Japan and packed with dramatic verticality, diverse biomes, and spectacular open‑road driving routes.
- CRUISE ICONIC LOCATIONS — Drive through Tokyo’s city streets, suburbs, docks, and industrial districts in the most expansive urban environment in Horizon history.
- DRIVE 550+ REAL‑WORLD CARS — Collect and customize over 550 licensed vehicles with body kits, Forza Aero, window liveries, and enhanced steering animations.
- BUILD YOUR ESTATE — Purchase beautiful homes across Japan and customize garages to showcase your growing car collection as you rise through the Horizon Festival.
- JOIN THE HORIZON COMMUNITY — Race, cruise, and compete with friends in Time Attack Circuits, Drag Meets, Car Meets, and Horizon multiplayer modes, including Spec Racing Championships.
Platforms
The Xbox and PC launch platforms are:
- Xbox Series X|S
- Windows PC through the Xbox app
- Steam
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
Forza Horizon 6 is an Xbox Play Anywhere title. A digital purchase supports play on Xbox and PC without requiring a second purchase, subject to the applicable storefront and account requirements. Xbox’s product page provides the current Play Anywhere details: Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox.
A PS5 release is planned for later in 2026. No specific date has been verified in the official announcements; players can use the PlayStation Store’s Wishlist feature for an availability notification.
Xbox One should not be treated as a confirmed platform. Some Xbox store sections contain legacy Xbox One labels, but the current launch announcement lists Xbox Series X|S and PC rather than Xbox One.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes the full game, VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, Car Pass, Italian Passion Car Pack, and two Premium Expansions (coming post launch).
- DISCOVER JAPAN — Explore Horizon’s largest map ever, set in Japan and packed with dramatic verticality, diverse biomes, and spectacular open‑road driving routes.
- CRUISE ICONIC LOCATIONS — Drive through Tokyo’s city streets, suburbs, docks, and industrial districts in the most expansive urban environment in Horizon history.
- DRIVE 550+ REAL‑WORLD CARS — Collect and customize over 550 licensed vehicles with body kits, Forza Aero, window liveries, and enhanced steering animations.
- BUILD YOUR ESTATE — Purchase beautiful homes across Japan and customize garages to showcase your growing car collection as you rise through the Horizon Festival.
Game Pass availability
The Standard Edition is included with an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription on Xbox and with PC Game Pass on Windows PC, according to the cited Forza launch information.
On Xbox consoles, online multiplayer also requires a Game Pass subscription tier that includes console online multiplayer. Owning the game and having access to online console multiplayer are separate requirements.
Setting: Japan
Forza Horizon 6 moves the series to Japan, combining dense urban environments with rural roads and countryside. Tokyo is described by Xbox as the largest city featured in the series, while the wider map provides a broader range of Japanese landscapes.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM UPGRADE — Includes VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, Car Pass, Italian Passion Car Pack, and two Premium Expansions. Requires Forza Horizon 6 base game or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- VIP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS — Enjoy a 2x Credit boost to race rewards, 3 VIP-Exclusive Forza Edition cars, a weekly bonus Super Wheelspin, and special Vanity Items.
- WELCOME PACK — Features 5 special pre-tuned cars and a Car Voucher, which can be used to claim any car available from the Autoshow.
- TIME ATTACK CAR PACK — Receive 8 legendary cars ideal for mastering every turn and corner at the Time Attack Circuits located around Japan.
- ITALIAN PASSION CAR PACK — Introduces 4 great new Italian cars in Forza Horizon 6 post-launch, perfect for cruising, racing, or exploring.
Seasonal changes remain central to the open-world experience. Summer, winter and cherry-blossom season alter the world’s appearance and influence how driving through it feels. The game also uses a continuing Live Program, with future updates intended to introduce Evolving World changes such as seasonal Car Meets.
Opening experience and cover cars
The game begins with an approximately 10-minute “Initial Experience” rather than immediately dropping players into the regular festival progression. The sequence includes off-roading in the Alps, racing the Shinkansen and previewing the broader experience before the player qualifies for the Horizon Festival.
The announced cover cars are the 2025 GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. The GR GT Prototype features in the opening sequence.
Rank #4
- DELUXE EDITION — Includes the full game, Welcome Pack, and Car Pass, delivering 30 additional cars to your garage with one new car released each week.
- DISCOVER JAPAN — Explore Horizon’s largest map ever, set in Japan and packed with dramatic verticality, diverse biomes, and spectacular open‑road driving routes.
- CRUISE ICONIC LOCATIONS — Drive through Tokyo’s city streets, suburbs, docks, and industrial districts in the most expansive urban environment in Horizon history.
- DRIVE 550+ REAL‑WORLD CARS — Collect and customize over 550 licensed vehicles with body kits, Forza Aero, window liveries, and enhanced steering animations.
- BUILD YOUR ESTATE — Purchase beautiful homes across Japan and customize garages to showcase your growing car collection as you rise through the Horizon Festival.
Official launch materials describe a starting car roster of more than 550 cars, while the Developer_Direct briefing characterized the launch line-up as approximately 550 cars.
Festival Playlist and ongoing content
The Festival Playlist is not available from the first moment of the game. Players must first qualify for the Horizon Festival and earn their initial Wristband. After that point, the Playlist becomes available as part of the game’s ongoing activities.
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Future content is delivered through the Live Program. The launch information specifically points to Evolving World updates and seasonal Car Meets, so the game’s feature set is intended to expand after release.
Best Value
- FORZA HORIZON 6 LIMITED EDITION — Explore breathtaking Japan with the XBOX Wireless Controller – Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition. Inspired by the winding Touge roads of Japan, this controller blends high-performance style with festival flair.
- FESTIVAL-INSPIRED DESIGN — Watch the translucent top case and triggers unveil dynamic lighting effects of a vibrant pink and green XBOX button. Bold pink thumbsticks, multi-color ABXY buttons, and a Horizon logo stamped on the battery door seal the look.
- RACING-READY GRIP — Lock into the open-world driving action with black and pink diamond-patterned grips and textured triggers built for every moment on the road.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can explore Japan from neon-lit streets to mountain passes without stopping to recharge.*
- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.**
Editions and what each includes
| Edition | Contents |
|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Full game. |
| Deluxe Edition | Full game, Welcome Pack and Car Pass. |
| Premium Edition | Full game, VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Car Pass, Time Attack Car Pack, Italian Passion Car Pack and Expansions 1 and 2. |
| Premium Upgrade | VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Car Pass, Time Attack Car Pack, Italian Passion Car Pack and Expansions 1 and 2. The base game is not included. |
The Deluxe Edition’s Car Pass delivers 30 cars, one per week. The Premium Edition includes two expansions and the Italian Passion Car Pack, although the launch materials identified those items as future content.
The Premium Upgrade is intended for owners of the Standard or Deluxe Edition and for Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass members. It requires the game itself or an eligible subscription; it is not a standalone copy of Forza Horizon 6.
Accessibility features
Returning accessibility options include American Sign Language and British Sign Language. Highlighted features include:
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- AutoDrive, an assisted driving option.
- Customizable High Contrast mode.
These options are part of the game’s broader effort to make driving and navigation more adaptable to different players.
Where to get Forza Horizon 6
The game is distributed through the Microsoft Store, the Xbox app on Windows, Steam and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The later PS5 release will use the PlayStation Store. Official sources confirm the storefronts, but do not provide one universal installation menu path or button sequence across every platform.
For the latest platform, edition and release information, see the Xbox Developer_Direct breakdown and the official Forza announcement.
Quick Recap
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