Nearly five years since the last installment, Forza Horizon 6 has quickly become one of the most anticipated racing games of 2026. Fans of the franchise have been eagerly waiting for a new open-world experience, and this upcoming release promises to deliver just that with improved gameplay, visuals, and features. Naturally, one of the most common questions players ask is: Will Forza Horizon 6 be on Xbox Game Pass? In addition, developers have confirmed that the game will release on PlayStation 5 later this year, marking a significant expansion for the franchise and opening it up to a wider audience. With so much to look forward to, let’s dive deeper into everything you need to know about the game.
Forza Horizon 6
Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, Forza Horizon 6 is the next major installment in the popular Forza Horizon series, bringing a fresh open-world racing experience for players. Set in Japan, the game offers a visually rich open world filled with modern cities, mountain roads, countryside routes, and scenic landscapes. This time, the journey begins differently. As you start not as a professional racer but as a tourist with a dream of one day entering the Horizon Festival. This shift makes the progression feel more natural and relatable, as you slowly build your name and work your way up.
You are joined by two close friends on this journey. Jordy brings his passion for motorsports, while Mei, an experienced Japanese car builder, adds authenticity and local insight into Japan’s car culture. This perspective is further strengthened by cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita, helping the game feel more grounded and immersive.
With around 550 cars available at launch, players have a huge variety of vehicles to collect, customize, and race. Overall, Forza Horizon 6 feels like a fresh start for the series, blending exploration, progression, and culture into a simple yet engaging racing experience.
FH6 Gameplay Features
- A large open-world map with diverse environments, the beautiful mountains, and urban spaces of Japan.
- Improved driving physics for more realistic handling and smoother controls.
- A dynamic weather system that changes gameplay conditions in real time.
- The day and night cycle affects visibility and race strategies.
- Expanded car list with new vehicles across all categories (550+ cars).
- Deeper car customization, including visual mods and performance tuning.
- Enhanced AI racers that adapt to player skill level.
- Online multiplayer with seamless drop-in and drop-out gameplay.
- New co-op modes and team-based challenges.
- Regular live events and seasonal updates with rewards.
- Improved graphics with better lighting, reflections, and textures.
- A more interactive world with traffic and other elements.
- Advanced photo mode and replay features.
- Cross-platform play between Xbox and PC players.
- Festival progression system with more activities and unlockables.
Will Forza Horizon 6 Be on Xbox Game Pass on Day One?
The direct answer to this question is yes. Forza Horizon 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Subscribers can jump into the game starting May 19, 2026, at no additional cost beyond their membership. Additionally, players who purchase the Premium Edition will gain early access, allowing them to start playing four days ahead of release, on May 15, 2026. This gives dedicated fans a head start in exploring the game’s open world and content.
If you’re a casual player, it makes perfect sense to wait for the Game Pass release and enjoy the full experience without spending extra. However, for hardcore fans who want early access and additional perks, pre-ordering the Premium Edition is the better option. It not only unlocks the game sooner but also typically includes bonus content that enhances the overall gameplay experience right from the start.
FH6 Platform Availability
Upon release, you can play Forza Horizon 6 on:
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox on PC
- Xbox Cloud
- PC via Steam
- Day one with Game Pass Ultimate
Besides these, Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios have confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will also be coming to PlayStation 5 later in 2026. There is no exact release date yet, but we will keep you updated. This is good news for players on both consoles, as Forza Horizon 5 was also released on PlayStation 5 last year, four years after its initial launch. This directly indicates the shorter gap between the release of first-party titles on both consoles.
Furthermore, the open-world racing game is available in three different editions: Standard, Deluxe, and Premium, each offering a range of perks at various price points to suit different players. As you move up the tiers, the benefits expand to include multiple car passes, early access, VIP membership, Expansion 1, Expansion 2, and more. Additionally, players who pre-order the game before May 19, 2026, can enjoy exclusive pre-order bonuses, including a pre-tuned Ferrari J50 for any edition.
Are you looking forward to playing Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox Game Pass, or do you prefer to buy the game separately? Let us know in the comments section below. And for more gaming news, guides, tips, tricks, codes, and more, don’t forget to check out Driffle Blog.
