Details of the new Forza Horizon 6

After years of speculation and requests from the community, Playground Games has officially confirmed what we all expected: Forza Horizon 6 will take us to Japan, and it already has a release date. The announcement came during Xbox Developer_Direct on 22 January, where official gameplay footage of the title was shown for the first time.

The Horizon festival arrives in the land of the rising sun on 19 May 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC (Microsoft Store and Steam). Players who purchase the Premium Edition will be able to enjoy the game four days early, starting on 15 May. In addition, it has been confirmed that the game will arrive on PlayStation 5 later in 2026, marking a milestone in Microsoft's multi-platform strategy.

The largest map in the series

Forza Horizon 6 boasts the largest map in the franchise's history, recreating Japan's most iconic landscapes in a stylised way. From the streets of Tokyo to the mountains of Hakone, via the imposing Mount Fuji, Playground Games has captured the essence of a country that combines tradition and modernity.

Special mention should be made of Tokyo, which will be five times larger than Guanajuato in Forza Horizon 5, making it the most complex and detailed urban area ever created in a Horizon game. The developers travelled to Japan to capture photogrammetric references, field recordings and all the details that make Japan unique, including the sound of train stations and wind chimes in summer.

Over 550 cars and new features

At launch, the game will feature over 550 vehicles, making it the largest roster in the series' history. The cover cars are none other than the Toyota GR GT Prototype 2025, making its video game debut, and the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025.

Among the new gameplay features are:

• Car Meets: Open-world car meetups inspired by the legendary Daikoku, where you can show off your vehicles and meet other players.
• Touge Battles: Night-time races on Japanese mountain passes
• Customisable garage: Each house includes a garage that you can decorate however you like.
• The Estate: A property in the mountain valley where you can freely build and decorate in the open world.
• Multiplayer EventLab: Now you can create circuits with your mates in Horizon CoLab mode.

The game also introduces technical improvements such as vinyl paint on windows, cosmetic tyre wear, improved steering animations with up to 540 degrees of rotation, and a new acoustic system that simulates how the environment sounds.

A new approach to progression

Unlike previous instalments, in Forza Horizon 6 you won't start out as a festival superstar. You'll begin as a tourist who must earn their place by completing Horizon Qualifiers, rising through the ranks with wristbands until finally receiving an invitation to Legend Island, an exclusive region of the map with unique events.

Availability and Game Pass

Forza Horizon 6 will be available from launch day on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. You can add the game to your wish list on Microsoft Store, Steam and PlayStation Store (to receive notifications when it becomes available on PS5).

Playground Games has undoubtedly put a lot of effort into this title, and the community's wait to explore Japanese roads is about to end. Get your garage ready because in May 2026, the Horizon festival opens its doors in the land of the rising sun.

See you on the roads of Japan!