The ultimate open-world driving title is headed for its sixth release. Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan and from the looks of the upcoming title, it is set to be the most beautiful version of the title ever released.
Here is everything you need to know about the release date, early access and other details.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Title: Forza Horizon 6
- Developer: Playground Games (with Turn 10 Studios support)
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Standard Release: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
- Premium Early Access: Friday, May 15, 2026
- Launch Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Store + Steam)
- PS5: Later in 2026, no date confirmed
- Game Pass: Day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Setting: Open-world Japan, including Tokyo City
When Does Forza Horizon 6 Release?
Forza Horizon 6’s standard release date is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, unlocking at 12:01 AM local time on Xbox and Windows, and 12:01 AM EDT globally on Steam. That applies to both the Standard and Deluxe editions across Xbox Series X|S and PC.
The PS5 version is coming later in 2026, but Microsoft and Playground Games have not confirmed the release date and other details. The PlayStation Store lists it as “coming soon” with a wishlist option, so Sony players will need to wait what feels like months to get into the fun.
How Does Forza Horizon 6 Early Access Work?
It’s a little tricky.
Early access starts Friday, May 15. That’s four days before the standard launch, but only for players who buy the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade Bundle.
Game Pass subscribers can also unlock early access by purchasing the Premium Upgrade separately, with the Standard Edition portion still covered by their Game Pass subscription.
The Premium Edition will retail for $129.99 and the Premium Upgrade Bundle is $59.99, with both granting the same content: early access from May 15, two post-launch expansions, the Car Pass (30 cars, one per week), VIP Membership, the Italian Passion Car Pack, the Time Attack Car Pack and a Welcome Pack with five pre-tuned cars.
The $190 buy-in is a total some game communities would scoff at, but Horizon gamers are accustomed to investing in the game’s experience and content.
Anyone who pre-orders any edition also gets an exclusive Ferrari J50 in their in-game garage. Ferrari built only 10 of those in real life to celebrate 50 years of the brand in Japan, so the reward has some serious appeal to car lovers.
READ MORE on upcoming Xbox releases:
Is Forza Horizon 6 on Game Pass?
Yes, but it is only on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Those two tiers unlock the Standard Edition at no additional cost on May 19, with PC, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming all supported.
Game Pass Essential, Premium and the new Starter tier do not include Forza Horizon 6. That’s a tighter access window than Microsoft’s broader Game Pass marketing usually implies, so subscribers on lower tiers will need to upgrade or buy the game outright.
Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers who want May 15 access still have to pay for the Premium Upgrade — the subscription alone covers the standard launch only.
That’s an important note fans should consider when making their buying decision.
What Should Players Expect From Forza Horizon 6?
The Japan setting is the headline change (and a welcomed one) with Tokyo City alone five times larger than Forza Horizon 5’s Guanajuato and the map mixing dense urban districts, mountain roads, coastal stretches and traditional countryside.
There are over 550 real-world cars are included at launch, with the 2025 GR GT Prototype as the cover car and a JDM-heavy roster designed to lean into Japan’s car culture.
Beyond the setting, Playground Games has rebuilt the EventLab toolset as CoLab with multiplayer support. The title also keeps the dynamic seasonal weather system from Forza Horizon 4 and 5. With the visual upgrades, these weather conditions will pop even more.
Forza Horizon 6 also adds Touge Battles plus authentic Japanese car-culture storylines. With Turn 10 Studios pulled in to help polish the sim-style details, this is easily the most ambitious Horizon entry yet.
