Forza Horizon 6 Revealed: Release Date, Japan Map, and What’s Changed

After the longest wait ever, Forza Horizon 6 is finally here! Get ready to race in Japan starting in May 2026. This one's set to be huge, with the biggest map and most cars ever seen in the game, plus a totally new way to level up.

Now we know. Playground Games just showed off Forza Horizon 6. They've announced when it's coming out and how the series has grown since its last game. Instead of just throwing out a sequel, Horizon 6 seems like a fresh start—bigger, more organized, and more into car culture than before.

Forza Horizon 6 Release Date, Platforms, and Early Access

Mark your calendars! Forza Horizon 6 is coming out on May 19, 2026. This is the longest wait we've had between main Horizon games.

Here's the breakdown:

• Release Date: May 19, 2026

• Early Access: If you buy the Premium Edition, you can start playing on May 15, 2026.

• Where to Play at Launch: Xbox Series X|S and PC

PlayStation 5 Update: Good news for PlayStation fans! The developers said that Japan will be available on PS5 later in 2026. There's no firm PS5 release date yet, but you can add the game to your wishlist, which means we're getting the full game, not just a limited version.

Japan Becomes the New Horizon Festival: Map, Seasons, and Scale

The Horizon Festival is heading to Japan, something fans have wanted for ages.

The game map mixes busy cities, docks, farmland, mountain roads, and coastal routes. It's the biggest Horizon world ever made, focusing on hills and winding roads instead of boring, flat highways.

The seasons do more than just change how things look. Weather and lighting match Japan's real seasons, which changes how your tires grip the road, how far you can see, and just how the roads feel different based on where you are and when you're driving.

“Forza Horizon 6 feels less like a sequel and more like a reset.”

Tokyo Is the Most Ambitious Horizon City Yet

Tokyo is the heart of this game.

The city is huge, say the developers, five times bigger than any past city in the Horizon series. It's got stacked highways, tight backstreets, factory areas, and lighting that makes nighttime driving a blast. Instead of sticking to GPS, you'll want to drive around and see what you find.

Tokyo is different from other Horizon cities because it feels like it was made for driving at night. You can drift down bright streets, find cool shortcuts, and drive through busy areas where the best route keeps changing during races.

Horizon 6 Campaign: How Progression Works This Time

In Horizon 6, getting ahead has a new feel.

You don't begin as a big star at the festival. You kick things off as a tourist. Want to get into the Horizon Festival? You'll need to pass some qualifying rounds and grab wristbands. Each level you reach gives you access to quicker cars, harder races, and, of course, more pressure to do well.

There are these fresh Horizon Rush challenges that are all about crazy obstacle courses where handling your car is just as important as speed. And Legend Island, which is the place you want to end up, isn't open from the start. You have to earn your way there by playing well for a while. Think of it as a prize, not just something you can pick from a menu.

The Largest Day-One Car Roster in Horizon History

Forza Horizon 6 hits the ground running!

The game comes with over 550 cars right away, which is the most the series has ever had on day one. Car types now go from D-Class all the way up to the new R-Class, made just for cars built for the track.

Here's what's new in your garage:

• Updated Forza Aero and new body kits

• You can paint on windows

• Tires show wear based on how much you drive

• Hard-to-find custom cars are hidden in the game world

Exploring is a big deal. You'll find parked cars all over the map. They're often rare, cheap, and a reward for those who drive around instead of using fast travel.

The main car is Toyota’s GR GT. It's a street car based on a race car and has ties to Japan's racing scene.

Player Homes, Custom Garages, and The Estate

Customization isn't just for cars anymore.

Every player home comes with a garage you can customize to show off your rides and invite friends over. Beyond that is The Estate, a huge mountain valley that starts out empty.

Once you unlock it, anything you build in The Estate stays there for good. Friends can drop by anytime. Nothing gets reset. Your creations become a part of your shared world, showing how Horizon 6 is moving toward lasting ownership instead of temporary events.

Multiplayer in Horizon 6: Car Meets, Touge Battles, and Co-Op

Horizon 6's multiplayer is really inspired by Japan's car culture.

Think of the open-world car meets as places where people hang out. You can:

• Show off what you've built.

• Grab other people's tunings.

• Buy cars you spot on the spot.

Then, groups jump straight into races, no need to wait in menus.

Here's what's new:

• Touge Battles: Night races on mountain roads where control is key.

• Horizon Time Attack: Tracks built into the world for time trials.

• Horizon CoLab: Build stuff together with friends in real time.

The idea is to make multiplayer feel like everyone's sharing the same world, not just playing separate games.

Audio, Music, and Accessibility Improvements

Car audio got a makeover with fresh acoustic modeling. The sound now adapts to your speed, surroundings, and even the weather. Inspiration comes from field recordings all over Japan, shaping the entire sound experience.

Music is still key, but there's now a bigger spotlight on Japanese artists. Accessibility features are back, along with some cool additions such as High Contrast Mode, Proximity Radar, and Autodrive to aid players who like to explore.

FAQs

1. When does Forza Horizon 6 release?

   Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19, 2026, with early access beginning May 15.

   
   

2. Is Forza Horizon 6 coming to PlayStation?

   Yes. A PlayStation 5 release is scheduled for later in 2026.

   
   

3. Where is Forza Horizon 6 set?

   The game is set in Japan, with Tokyo as the central city.

   
   

4. How many cars are in Forza Horizon 6 at launch?

   More than 550 vehicles are available at launch.

   
   

5. Does Horizon 6 change progression?

   Yes. Progression is now tied to qualifiers and wristbands rather than instant celebrity status.

Final Takeaway

Forza Horizon 6 isn't your typical sequel; it feels like Playground Games really thought this one through. Setting it in Japan changes everything from how you drive to how you advance and team up with others. It's been over five years, and this feels like more than a simple return. It's a whole new take on the Horizon Festival.