No. Forza Horizon 6 is not free to own. Xbox sells it as a purchase, and it is also included with Game Pass, so eligible subscribers can play it without buying it separately. That access lasts while the subscription is active. It does not give you a permanent free copy.
Why “free” is the wrong word
The confusion comes from the fact that the same Xbox listing offers two routes. The first is a purchase: Xbox lists a Standard Edition you can buy. The second is subscription access: the Standard Edition is also marked as included with Game Pass. The official Game Pass announcement, published by Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass, on May 19, 2026, lists the game with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Its listing line reads: “Forza Horizon 6 (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – May 19.”
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Put simply, a subscriber pays for the plan, not for the game. If the plan ends, so does access through it. Owning the game requires buying it.
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| Route | What you get | Do you own the game? | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy the Standard Edition | The base game on Xbox platforms | Yes, through the purchase | Xbox product listing |
| Game Pass Ultimate | Access on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld and PC from May 19, 2026 | No. Access lasts while the subscription is active | Xbox Wire Game Pass announcement, May 19, 2026 |
| PC Game Pass | Access listed with the same May 19, 2026 availability | No. Access lasts while the subscription is active | Xbox Wire Game Pass announcement, May 19, 2026 |
No price appears in this article. Subscription prices and game prices vary by region and change over time, so check the Xbox or PlayStation Store in your region before you commit.
#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.
Release dates by platform
| Platform | Date | Status as of October 8, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11 | May 19, 2026 | Released, per the Xbox product listing |
| PS5 Premium Edition | Early access starts January 21, 2027 | Announced, not yet available |
| PS5 Standard and Deluxe editions | January 26, 2027 | Announced, not yet available |
Playground Games announced the PS5 dates in an October 8, 2026 post. The same announcement says the PS5 version supports cross-platform play and cross-save with Xbox and Steam.
What each edition includes
Xbox’s listing describes three editions. The PS5 announcement uses the same three names, Standard, Deluxe and Premium, but the contents below come from Xbox’s listing.
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.
| Edition | Contents listed by Xbox |
|---|---|
| Standard | The base game. Also included with Game Pass. |
| Deluxe | The game, Car Pass and Welcome Pack. |
| Premium | The full game, two future Premium Expansions, Italian Passion Car Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership and Welcome Pack. The two expansions are not yet released. |
Forza’s official game page describes the game as having “over 550 real-world cars.” That is a product feature, not a price or a player statistic.
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Buying a physical PS5 copy
Playground Games says the PS5 version will be sold on disc at supporting retailers. The announcement does not confirm stock or individual retailer listings, so check a retailer’s current page before buying. Physical discs are a purchase route, so they fall under the same ownership logic as the digital Standard Edition.
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.
Which route fits your situation
- If you already subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, the game is included in your plan from May 19, 2026, with no separate purchase.
- If you want to keep the game after a subscription lapses, buy a copy instead.
- If you play on PS5, you cannot use Game Pass for the game yet. Your option is a PS5 purchase when the platform launches in January 2027.
- If you want the extra cars, expansions and VIP content, compare the Deluxe and Premium contents in the table above before choosing.
Xbox’s listing, subscription lineup and PS5 dates can change. Check Xbox’s live product page and the Forza announcements before you buy.
Quick Recap
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.**
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
