Reports now claim Forza Horizon 6 is set for a May 19, 2026 release, with 4 day Early Access starting May 15, 2026 for Premium Edition buyers. Pre-orders are also expected to open shortly after the Xbox Developer_Direct showcase.
If you’ve been waiting to plan your next trip to the Horizon Festival, this leak lines up with a lot of earlier chatter.
The May date marks a major shift from the series’ typical fall launch windows. Instead of competing with holiday releases, Playground Games seems to be aiming for a spring window where it can dominate the racing scene with less noise.
Release Date and Early Access of Forza Horizon 6
• Standard and Deluxe Editions: May 19, 2026
• Premium Edition Early Access: May 15, 2026 (4 days early)
This is reported confirmation from reputable deal and leak sources ahead of the official Developer_Direct reveal. Treat these details as “reported” until store pages officially update.
A 4 day head start might not sound like a lot, but for Forza players, that early access window is often where the economy stabilizes, auction houses get their first rare listings, and leaderboards start filling up. If you like being part of that opening push, this kind of early window is worth considering.
Forza Horizon 6 Pricing
Reported MSRP for the Standard Edition:
• Europe: €69.99
• United States: $69.99
Deluxe pricing has not been fully detailed in the reporting referenced here.
Expect the Deluxe tier to land somewhere between Standard and Premium, both in price and in included content. If prior entries are any clue, it may come bundled with the Car Pass or an expansion voucher. Until we see the fine print, though, that’s just reading the tea leaves.
Editions for Forza Horizon 6
Standard Edition
- Base game
No extras reported for the Standard tier, which tracks with how Microsoft and Playground have handled recent Horizon titles.
Deluxe Edition
- Available on May 19 according to reports
- Specific Deluxe bonuses were not included in the cited report
In prior games, this tier usually offered one or two premium extras without the full bundle of early access and expansion content. If you care about cosmetics or ongoing content, this edition may feel like a middle ground.
Premium Edition
Reported content includes:
- 4-day Early Access (May 15)
- VIP Membership
- Welcome Pack
- Car Pass
- Time Attack Car Pack
- Additional post-launch car packs
That list mirrors what we’ve seen in past Horizon Premium bundles. VIP perks often include bonus Wheelspins and exclusive items, while the Welcome Pack usually starts you off with upgraded cars and early credits. The Time Attack Car Pack is a new name, suggesting themed content around time trial events or historical racing builds.
Physical Release for Xbox
Reports indicate that the Standard Edition will have a physical release on Xbox Series X, available on May 19.
This is good news for players who still prefer physical media. Whether it’s about collecting, resale, or just bandwidth limits, having a boxed version remains important for a big chunk of console users. So far, no mention has been made of physical Deluxe or Premium editions.
Pre-orders
Reporting suggests pre-orders will go live one hour after the Xbox Developer_Direct broadcast. That showcase is scheduled for January 22, 2026, and Forza Horizon 6 is confirmed as one of the featured games.
The timing aligns with a typical store update window following such events.
This approach has become a pattern for Microsoft. Drop the trailer, follow with pre-orders, and let the news cycle carry the hype for a few days. If you’re interested in locking in your edition early, keep your payment details ready once the stream wraps.
What to Expect from Developer_Direct
Keep an eye out for the following details during the event:
- Official confirmation of the release date and all editions
- Platform availability details (already expected for Series X and PC)
- PC spec targets and performance expectations
- Multiplayer structure updates
- Post-launch roadmap details
We’ll likely get a solid gameplay segment focused on how Japan will look in-engine. Forza games have always prioritized visual fidelity, and this is Playground’s first Horizon entry fully built for current-gen consoles.
Expect ray tracing, variable time of day, weather systems, and terrain variety to play a bigger role than ever.
Why This Matters
This follows an earlier in-game advertisement leak that listed the same May dates. If this new reported confirmation holds, Forza Horizon 6 will mark one of the earliest launches in the series’ history. Spring 2026 could shape up to be a major season for racing fans.
The Japan setting alone makes this a big deal. Players have been requesting it since Forza Horizon 2. Tight urban tracks, mountain drift roads, neon-lit night drives: it all fits the Horizon vibe perfectly. It’s also a big visual shift from the more open and rural landscapes of Mexico or Australia.