Forza Horizon 6: The wait is finally over for racing game enthusiasts worldwide. During the Xbox Developer Direct event on January 22, 2026, Microsoft and Playground Games pulled back the curtain on Forza Horizon 6, marking a historic moment for the beloved open-world racing franchise. For the first time in the series’ history, the Horizon Festival is making its way to Japan, bringing with it the franchise’s most ambitious map, groundbreaking features, and a surprise expansion to PlayStation platforms.
When Can You Play Forza Horizon 6?
Mark your calendars for May 19, 2026—that’s when Forza Horizon 6 officially launches worldwide. However, racing fans who opt for the Premium Edition will get a head start with early access beginning May 15, 2026, giving them four extra days to explore Japan’s streets and mountain passes.
The game will be available across multiple platforms from day one, including Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (available on both Microsoft Store and Steam), and as a day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass. In a franchise-first announcement, Forza Horizon 6 will also come to PlayStation 5 later in 2026, breaking the long-standing Xbox exclusivity and opening the Horizon Festival to millions of new players.
Welcome to Japan: The Series’ Largest and Most Diverse Map
Previous Forza Horizon games have taken players to Colorado, Southern Europe, Australia, Britain, and Mexico. Now, the festival lands in a beautifully recreated, fictionalized version of Japan that promises to be the biggest playground yet.
What Makes the Japan Map Special?
Tokyo Metropolis: The crown jewel of the map is a massive recreation of Tokyo, reportedly five times larger than any city featured in previous Horizon games. Iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing’s bustling intersection and the towering Tokyo Tower will serve as backdrops for high-speed street races.
Mountain Touge Roads: Fans of Japanese car culture will recognize the narrow, winding mountain passes inspired by legendary locations like Mt. Haruna. These technical roads will test your drifting skills and provide the perfect setting for spirited battles.
Varied Landscapes: Beyond the neon-lit urban sprawl, the map includes peaceful coastal highways, industrial port areas, and traditional rural villages framed by stunning cherry blossom trees.
Dynamic Seasonal Changes: The popular seasonal system returns with region-specific weather effects. Winter brings heavy snowfall to mountain regions, while spring transforms the countryside into a sea of pink cherry blossoms, creating Instagram-worthy racing moments.
Revolutionary New Features That Change the Game
Playground Games isn’t just delivering a new location—they’re reimagining core aspects of the Forza Horizon experience.
The Estate: Your Personal Racing Paradise
Moving beyond simple house purchases, players can now own “The Estate”—a substantial property where creativity runs wild. Build custom race tracks, create scenic photo spots, or design your dream automotive sanctuary. Individual houses now feature fully customizable garages, allowing you to curate and display your favorite vehicles like a personal museum.
Authentic Japanese Car Culture
Car Meet Hubs: Three dedicated Car Meet locations scattered across the map recreate the atmosphere of real Japanese gathering spots like the famous Daikoku Parking Area. These social spaces let you show off custom paint jobs, connect with other players, and even purchase replicas of other players’ uniquely tuned cars on the spot.
Earn Your Place: The New Progression System
Gone are the days of arriving as an instant celebrity. In Forza Horizon 6, you start as a simple tourist visiting Japan. To gain access to the Horizon Festival, you’ll need to prove yourself by competing in qualification events and collecting special “Wristbands” that unlock new areas and opportunities.
CoLab: Build Together in Real-Time
The popular EventLab track creator gets a major upgrade as CoLab. This enhanced toolset supports real-time multiplayer creation, letting up to 12 players collaborate simultaneously to build custom racing experiences, entire worlds, or creative challenges.
The Car Collection: Over 550 Vehicles at Launch
Forza Horizon 6 launches with an impressive roster of more than 550 cars spanning decades of automotive history and representing manufacturers from around the globe.
Cover Stars
Two Toyota models share the spotlight on the game’s cover:
- 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype (making its video game debut)
- 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (J250)
Enhanced Customization Options
The customization system receives meaningful improvements:
- Window Stickers: Personalize your car’s glass with decals and stickers
- Staggered Wheels: Finally equip different wheel designs on front and rear axles
- Updated Forza Aero Kits: Refreshed aerodynamic parts with improved visual design
- New R Class: A dedicated performance class for high-end racing and track-focused machines
Which Edition Should You Buy?
Forza Horizon 6 comes in three editions, each offering different value propositions:
| Edition | Price | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | Full base game (also included with Xbox Game Pass subscription) |
| Deluxe | $99.99 | Base game + Car Pass (monthly car packs) + Welcome Pack (bonus starter cars and credits) |
| Premium | $119.99 | Everything in Deluxe PLUS 4-day early access (May 15), VIP membership (double credits and exclusive rewards), and two upcoming expansion passes |
For dedicated fans, the Premium Edition offers the best overall value, especially with early access and guaranteed future content through the expansion passes.
Why Forza Horizon 6 Matters
This announcement represents more than just another sequel. The Japan setting fulfills years of community requests and provides the perfect backdrop for automotive culture that celebrates everything from classic kei cars to modern hypercars. The PlayStation 5 release expands the franchise’s reach significantly, potentially introducing millions of new players to the Horizon Festival experience.
The combination of the largest map in series history, meaningful progression changes, enhanced social features, and deep customization options suggests Playground Games is committed to evolving the formula rather than simply delivering more of the same.
Racing game fans have less than four months until they can experience the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, master challenging mountain passes, and become part of Japan’s legendary car culture. Whether you’re a longtime Forza veteran or a newcomer curious about the hype, May 2026 can’t arrive soon enough.
Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass, with PlayStation 5 following later in the year.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma vs Ishan Kishan: Who Deserves India’s T20I Opening Spot in 2026?
References and Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forza_Horizon_6
Hari Dhage is a passionate tech writer and a Computer Engineering student with a strong interest in emerging technologies, smartphones, gadgets, and digital trends. With a solid technical background and a curiosity for innovation, he simplifies complex tech topics into clear, engaging, and reader-friendly articles. Through his writing on CrickDuniya.in, Hari aims to keep readers informed with accurate, up-to-date tech news, comparisons, and insights that matter in everyday digital life.
