Forza Horizon 6 – Latest News And Release Date
Table of Contents
The Forza Horizon 6 release date extends past traditional cycles as the series prepares for a significant leap forward. Here’s what we know so far.
TL;DR – Latest Updates
It’s official! We’ve been calling it, and now it’s confirmed – Forza Horizon 6 is heading to Xbox in 2026, set in the home of drifting – Japan!
- Forza Horizon 6 was officially announced at Tokyo Game Show 2025; launch planned for 2026
- As fans hoped, the home of drifting, Japan, is finally the confirmed location
- Launch platforms: Xbox Series X|S & PC, on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere
- PlayStation 5 confirmed for later “post-launch” release
- Fujimi Kaido’s recent revival in Forza Motorsport sparks hopes for FH6’s rumored Japanese touge sections
- New rivals are emerging from Lighthouse and Maverick Games (both led by ex-Horizon leads)
- The planned five-year gap breaks Horizon’s usual 2-3 year release cycle
Introduction
From the start, Forza has showcased Xbox hardware, bringing two unique racing types.
Forza Motorsport focuses on a simulator(ish)-style racing experience, allowing enthusiasts to refine their skills on the track.
On the other hand, the Horizon series offers open-world freedom with an arcade-style vibe for those seeking a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. It allows you to push nearly every vehicle imaginable to its limits across just about every terrain imaginable.
The news of Forza Horizon 4’s delisting on December 15, 2024, sparked speculation about the franchise’s future, with many wondering whether Playground Games is shifting its focus entirely to the upcoming Horizon 6.
Microsoft typically removes older Forza titles from sale as development on new entries ramps up. Historically, these moves signal the start of a new project.
Following this, the FH5 Ultimate Car Pack, which bundles together all previous DLC, was released in January 2025, suggesting Playground Games is wrapping up support for FH5.
This speculation intensified when Microsoft surprised the gaming world by announcing the launch of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 in April 2025, marking the series’ first departure from Microsoft exclusivity.
Following Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer’s official announcement of ‘the next Forza’ at the Xbox Games Showcase (June 8, 2025), we now have confirmation that Horizon 6 is heading to Xbox Consoles in 2026.
PlayStation fans won’t want to get too excited just yet, as the new title will launch exclusively on Xbox, with a PS5 version planned post-launch.
Want something to play while you wait for the Horizon 6 release? Check out our exclusive free-to-play browser game, Drift Hunters MAX. Like Horizon, it features AI traffic, drift challenges, and competitive leaderboards!
Forza Horizon 6 Release Date
A deleted social media post from Australian importers ‘Cult & Classic’ showed the Horizon team scanning a Japanese kei car. This accidental leak (understandably) once again sparked discussion about an upcoming release, with Japan being the location.
Days later, well-known leaker NateTheHate2 dropped the following tweet on August 24, 2025, stating Xbox will “announce Forza Horizon 6 at this year’s Tokyo Game Show”:
He also said, “the game’s setting is Japan”, adding more fuel to the speculation.
Then, Xbox has confirmed a Tokyo Game Show broadcast will take place on Thursday, September 25, at 7 PM JST (6 AM ET / 3 AM PT / 11 AM UK).
In the announcement from Mena Kato, the Senior Director of Xbox Asia, he confirmed they will feature “Japan-inspired” content.
As we suspected, when the official announcement arrived, it finally delivered everything fans had been hoping for.
“The teams at Playground Games and Turn 10 have poured their hearts into Forza Horizon 6, bringing Japan to life like never before,” explained Xbox exec Matt Booty during the reveal.
“This has been the most-requested location since the very first game and we can’t wait to share more next year.”
Microsoft also has a second, hour-long Famitsu/Dengeki segment on Saturday, Sep 27, at 7 PM JST (6 AM ET / 3 AM PT / 11 AM UK) labeled ‘Xbox Title (Microsoft Gaming)’. This initially appeared to be a strong candidate for the first in-depth look at FH6, but it seems unlikely if the above quote is true.
Rather than filling a gap in Microsoft’s 2025 lineup, this means both Fable and “the next Forza” are now targeting 2026, creating direct competition with the planned release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Xbox Series X|S Forza Horizon 6 Release Date
The official press release states, “Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox consoles and PC in 2026”. Based on previous leaks (which have proven to be accurate), it’s likely we will get to see it early in the year.
Forza Horizon 6 will release exclusively on Xbox Series X|S and PC, marking a departure from previous titles that also included last-gen consoles.
This focused development approach enables Playground Games to push the technical boundaries further and deliver more ambitious open-world environments, free from the constraints of older hardware.
Xbox One Forza Horizon 6 Release Date
Given the anticipated technical requirements, FH6 will exceed the capabilities of the Xbox One.
Fans will need to consider upgrading to a Series X|S console or ensure their PC meets the minimum requirements.
The aging console’s technical limitations make it increasingly challenging to deliver modern gaming experiences, especially for large, open-world environments.
PC Forza Horizon 6 Release Date
Forza Horizon 6 will launch simultaneously on PC and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026.
While high-end PCs can potentially surpass the Xbox Series X’s performance, the significant cost difference makes console gaming an attractive option for most players.
Game Pass Release Date (Xbox Cloud Gaming)
Following Forza Horizon 5’s record-breaking Game Pass launch, the trailer showed that Forza Horizon 6 will also be available on Xbox Game Pass, as well as Xbox Play Anywhere.
Will Forza Horizon 6 Be On PS4/PS5?
While Microsoft recently released Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation platforms, Forza Horizon 6 will remain exclusive to Xbox and PC at launch.
In the press release, Xbox confirmed “Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are also working together to bring Forza Horizon 6 to PlayStation 5 post-launch.”
The PlayStation version of FH5 arrived in April 2025, around 3.5 years after its Xbox debut, a move that surprised many, given Microsoft’s previous stance on exclusivity.
Forza Horizon 6 News
Update (Sep 25): It’s official! Microsoft confirmed at the Tokyo Game Show 2025 that Forza Horizon 6 is coming in 2026, set in the land of the rising sun and the home of drifting – Japan.
Paired with the kei-car 3D scan leak and credible insider chatter, the Japan reveal became increasingly likely, before finally bringing the dream of drifting fans to life.
The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase left Horizon fans disappointed. Despite expecting fresh FH6 details, Playground Games focused on the Fable reboot without mentioning Forza Horizon 6.
However, following the recent delays for Fable 4 and GTA VI, it paved the way for perfect timing for a Forza Horizon 6 reveal at the 2025 event.
When it arrived, the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, held on June 8, finally delivered news, but not the reveal fans had hoped for. Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer provided only a vague confirmation of “the next Forza,” targeting a 2026 release.
This means the gap between FH5 and FH6 will be the longest to date, aligning with Microsoft’s reported shift toward 4-6-year development cycles for AAA games rather than the 2-3-year cycles we’ve seen previously.
We’ve already seen this approach with Forza Motorsport, which finally arrived in October 2023 after being delayed multiple times. These extended timelines are becoming the new normal for Microsoft’s biggest franchises.
Past Forza Horizon release date cycles:
- Forza Horizon – October 2012 (Announced May 2012)
- Forza Horizon 2 – September 2014 (Announced May 2014)
- Forza Horizon 3 – September 2016 (Announced June 2016)
- Forza Horizon 4 – September 2018 (Announced June 2018)
- Forza Horizon 5 – November 2021 (Announced June 2021)
- Forza Horizon 6 – 2026 (Rumors are saying ‘Early 2026’)
Forza Horizon 6 Location
In the Forza Horizon franchise, we’ve already been treated to the following locations:
- Forza Horizon – Colorado, USA
- Forza Horizon 2 – Southern France and Northern Italy
- Forza Horizon 3 – Australia
- Forza Horizon 4 – England and Scotland (U.K.)
- Forza Horizon 5 – Mexico
- Forza Horizon 6 – Japan
Will FH6 be set in Japan?
Yes! After years of speculation and requests, it has finally been confirmed – we’re heading to the land of the rising sun!
Here’s some fan art showing how the Japan map could potentially look:
While the Horizon Festival has given us some awesome locations, such as the USA, Europe, Australia, the U.K., and Mexico, Japan is the holy grail for us drift fanatics – it’s where our beloved sport was born and perfected.
We hope we’ll soon get the chance to shred through the winding mountain passes of Hakone or Irohazaka, recreating those Initial D moments we’ve all dreamed about.
The closest we’ve got to a true touge experience in Forza is the legendary Fujimi Kaido track. Given that it was absent from the series for so long, fans had given up on it making a return.
In March 2025, Turn 10 finally announced Fujimi’s return (which arrived in May) in a huge nod to touge fans.
As you can imagine, this only added more fuel to the fire with the Japan speculations (which eventually came true.) If Fujimi was rebuilt from the ground up, fans wonder what else is coming.
Alongside the mountain roads, there’s also the potential for epic urban drifting in Tokyo’s neon-lit streets. We’ll be in for a treat with legendary JDM manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota, and Honda calling Japan home.
Until recently, Japan remained largely unexplored in major racing games despite its rich automotive culture.
While iconic tracks like Suzuka appear in F1 games, and Gran Turismo 7 features Suzuka and a fictional Tokyo Expressway, the country’s varied landscapes and urban environments are underrepresented.
This gap presents a unique opportunity for Forza Horizon 6 to showcase Japan’s varied terrain, from bustling cityscapes to tight, twisty touge mountain passes.
While the wait for FH6 continues, other drift games give you a taste of what could be expected from the Japan setting.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master offers over 250 kilometers of diverse Japanese roads across its fictional Guntama prefecture.
After initial delays, JDM arrived in May 2025, featuring an open-world map that allows drivers to explore tourist areas, traditional towns, and touge roads inspired by real Japanese locations.
Another offering is CarX Drift Racing 3, which allows you to drift vast areas, including the entire Ebisu Complex, and the legendary Kami Road returns. It will also be available on PC and console shortly, under a new name: CarX Drift Racing Online 2.
Another game from the same team, CarX Street, also offers players an awesome alternative open-world drifting experience.
However, this fan-made trailer gives you an idea of how Japan might look in FH6.
Before Japan was confirmed, fans were speculating about other potential possibilities, which may still be a consideration for future Horizon games.
Germany
Germany offers a European setting with a rich automotive heritage. Players could race through scenic landscapes featuring castles, autobahns, and the Black Forest.
The country’s varied terrain would provide excellent opportunities for street racing and rally-style events. Germany’s car culture, home to brands like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, would naturally fit the Horizon Festival theme.
Egypt
Egypt would offer a unique and visually striking environment for the series. The game could feature races around ancient pyramids, along the Nile River, and through bustling modern cities like Cairo.
The contrast between desert landscapes and lush river valleys would create unique driving experiences. Iconic landmarks could serve as spectacular backdrops for showcase events and challenges.
China
China’s vast and varied landscape would provide an expansive playground. Players could race along the Great Wall, through futuristic cityscapes like Shanghai, and across rural rice paddies.
The country’s varied geography, ranging from mountains to coastlines, offers a wide range of driving conditions. China’s growing car culture and mix of ancient and modern architecture would create a visually stunning and culturally rich setting for the Horizon Festival.
What The Fans Want To See In Forza Horizon 6
Despite a rough start following its initial launch, Forza Horizon 5 eventually won over the majority of fans.
The game remains very active today, largely thanks to the recent PlayStation release. However, a lack of updates following the release left fans hoping that Playground Games was preparing for something even bigger than the PlayStation launch.
Mike Brown, the Creative Director of Forza Horizon 5, shocked the industry when he left Playground Games in 2023 to found Maverick Games. Several other veterans also left alongside him.
While many were initially disappointed by the news, it has left fans hopeful of a new direction for the new game.
A fresh start could be the perfect opportunity to provide more meaningful gameplay beyond simply accumulating points and collecting cars in your garage. This opens up many potentially exciting possibilities with a new story mode.
Many fans feel that carrying over the progress from Horizon 4 was convenient for FH5 gamers. However, it meant that the game lacked any real progression to work towards for the hardcore fans.
Rather than having everything handed on a plate, having to go back to the grind of experiencing the excitement of unlocking your favorite cars could make the game much more exciting.
New Features & Challenges
We’d love to see a proper progression system that starts with slower cars and improves race variety to enhance the gameplay experience. Maybe even licenses as we used to enjoy in the OG first-edition Gran Turismo games. (I guess we’re showing our age here!)
It’d also be great to see more race types seamlessly integrated into the map, offering a wider range of challenges and experiences. There’s also a desire for better-designed roads that create more engaging and natural racing environments, moving away from awkwardly placed races seen in previous titles.
Additionally, the idea of separate maps for different game modes, such as the Eliminator, has gained traction among fans. This approach could provide tailored experiences for specific game types, potentially offering more immersive and focused gameplay for each mode.
While Horizon 5 is undoubtedly a great game, we’re sure you’ll agree that the features and challenges lack the exciting feeling the previous Horizons had.
In-Game Content
Forza Horizon 6 fans hope for a larger, more diverse map offering various environments. Moving exclusively to next-gen consoles and high-end PCs would make it far easier for Playground Games to improve the map size substantially.
If we could explore the cities and the touge mountain roads of the Japanese countryside, it’d be a dream come true for many enthusiasts.
Another exciting addition could be an in-game airport, allowing players to “fly” to famous real-world circuits, as seen in Forza Motorsport. This would expand the game’s scope beyond a single location, offering more variety.
With an incredible display of evolution in AI since Forza Horizon 5’s release, we hope to see improvements across the board.
Graphical Enhancements
While this is pretty much a given, we’d rather see the team focus on the content and physics of the game. Sure, it’s always great to see shiny new visuals, but we all know that the appeal only lasts so long.
Fans hope for enhanced realism through full animation of car controls. This includes visible interactions with the horn, handbrake, clutch, and other vehicle components that have previously been missing, adding a new layer of immersion to the game.
Improved In-Game Customization
Many eagerly anticipate enhanced customization options, allowing them to truly personalize their vehicles with more in-depth customization, including a wider range of visual mods and body kits.
It would also be great to see improved rim customization, with the ability to upgrade individual wheels, potentially allowing for different front and rear rims, as seen on missile drift cars or pros running out of tires.
Another great feature would be aero options that are visually compatible with different car models, moving away from the boring one-size-fits-all approach of previous games.
A wildcard request would be hitching trailers or caravans to your ride. Imagine how awesome that would be while throwing it down sideways on the touge!
Will Horizon Festival Return for Horizon 6?
We will likely get some form of the Horizon Festival for FH6. After all, the festivals have been an integral part of the series for almost a decade now, and it will be a huge risk to drop them.
Forza Horizon 6 Expected Car List
The Forza Horizon 5 Car List didn’t disappoint. At the initial launch, it provided over 530 cars, and with the many updates that followed, the tally is now almost 900! We expect the same story with Horizon 6.
We hope that the new game can incorporate new models from Forza Motorsport. Ideally, the update will feature an expanded selection of unique and rare JDM drift and race cars to represent the local automotive culture.
Fans hope for a more varied lineup that focuses on different car brands rather than multiple variants of the same model and includes unique options like Kei cars and trucks.
For example, the quirky Toyota Hiace van has gone down well with Gran Turismo 7 fans in the recent update.
To address previous criticisms, the developers should also aim to retain popular cars from earlier series entries.
Recent additions to the Forza Horizon 5 car list had fans talking about the significantly higher number of new JDM cars than in any other region.
There was also a huge Japanese car rim update from legendary manufacturers like 5Zigen, Advan, Enkei, and Gram Lights, significantly expanding the customization options, as many requested.
This focus on Japanese automotive culture suggests that Playground Games listens to fan requests. It also raises hopes that Forza Horizon 6 might feature an even more extensive selection of rare and iconic Japanese vehicles.
Here are some of the JDM cars we’ve seen added recently:
- 1991 Toyota Chaser GT Twin Turbo
- 1991 Toyota Sera
- 1992 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
- 1993 Autozam AZ-1
- 1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR
- 1995 Toyota MR2 GT
- 1996 Subaru SVX
- 1997 Mitsubishi Montero
- 1997 Nissan Stagea RS Four V
- 1997 Toyota Soarer 2.5 GT-T
- 1998 Mitsubishi FTO GP Version R
- 2022 Subaru WRX
- 2023 Nissan Z
The most surprising recent minor DLC announcement is the ‘Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack,’ bringing the following cars, even some of the most die-hard Nissan fans wouldn’t be able to identify:
- 1987 Nissan Be-1
- 1991 Nissan Figaro
- 1989 Nissan Pao
- 1989 Nissan S-Cargo
These “Pike” cars certainly aren’t the typical JDM cars players would’ve requested.
Interestingly, Playground Games has previously used DLC car packs to hint at upcoming locations – British cars were added to FH3 before FH4 was set in the UK.
Could this be a sign that they’re laying the groundwork for the ‘everyday’ vehicles we’ll see scattered around Japan? It seems weird they’d bring four of them otherwise, as they aren’t the most sought-after cars they could’ve added!
While you wait for more info on Horizon 6, why not check out the fastest drag car in Forza Horizon 5 and practice your drag racing skills before the new game drops?
Is There A New Forza Horizon 6 Competitor?
Forza Horizon 6 faces competition from not one, but two studios founded by former leaders of the Forza Horizon team. Both Lighthouse Games and Maverick Games launched in 2022, each taking different approaches to challenging the franchise they helped create.
Lighthouse Games
Founded by Gavin Raeburn (co-founder of Playground Games), Lighthouse Games is developing a “disruptive” driving game explicitly designed to compete with Horizon.
Raeburn states, “That’s the game we have to beat” and emphasizes they’re not copying Horizon’s formula: “If I wanted to build Horizon 6, 7 and 8, I would have stayed at Playground”.
The studio employs 130 staff, including many from Playground Games and Codemasters, along with backing from Tencent.
Maverick Games
At the same time, Maverick Games, led by Mike Brown (the former creative director of Forza Horizon 5), is planning a “narrative-led, open-world driving game” to be published by Amazon Games.
Expected to arrive on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the project also features lead writer Jamie Brittain (co-creator of the BAFTA-winning UK TV show, “Skins”) and more than 60 employees, including several senior Forza Horizon veterans.
Needless to say, Horizon will soon be facing the most competition it’s ever experienced, forcing Playground Games to prove itself against the very people who built the franchise.
With this, alongside the likes of CarX and JDM: Japanese Drift Master also diving into open-world drifting games, the future certainly looks exciting!
Forza Horizon 6 Release Date FAQs
This answers your questions about the upcoming newest addition to the Forza Horizon series and the FH6 release date.
Where will Forza Horizon 6 take place?
Forza Horizon 6 will take racing and drifting fans to the land of the rising sun – Japan.
When is Forza Horizon 6 coming out?
Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled for release in 2026. Credible leakers are suggesting ‘early’ 2026, which extends the series’ gap between entries to five years, the longest yet.
What is the Forza Horizon 6 location?
Japan, where the twisty mountain roads should make for the perfect location for street drifting.
Is there a Forza Horizon 7?
No official plans. Some speculation says FH6 could be the last, but nothing is confirmed.
Is there a new Forza Motorsport?
Motorsport was released on October 10, 2023, and continues to receive updates. Whether a new game will arrive remains unclear.
Will Forza Horizon 6 be on Xbox One?
No, FH6 will not be released on Xbox One. Playground Games will fully utilize the Xbox Series X|S capabilities, and it will also be available on PC.
Is Forza Horizon 6 coming to PlayStation?
Yes, after the initial exclusive release. Xbox confirmed they are already working “to bring Forza Horizon 6 to PlayStation 5 post-launch.”
Photography credits
We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:
Jamie Wynder
Chireece Gaming
Static 207
Static 207
Bhautik Joshi
Ericship 111
Pietro Donzelli
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