Forza Horizon 6 Countdown

What time and date does Forza Horizon come out, early access unlock time, preload and preorder details, Game Pass availability, editions, file size, and more.

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Friday, May 15, 2026

Key Highlights

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    Forza Horizon 6 is finally bringing the Horizon Festival to Japan, something fans have wanted for years.

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    Premium Edition owners can start racing up to four days before the official launch.

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    The game is launching day one on Xbox Game Pass, making it more accessible than ever.

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    From preload details to global unlock times, here’s everything you need to know before launch day.

What to Expect

The wait for Forza Horizon 6 is almost over. Playground Games is finally taking the Horizon Festival to Japan, bringing neon-lit city streets, mountain passes, drift events, and a massive open world for players to explore.

With launch week getting closer, players are now preparing for preload and preorder, early access, and the global unlock schedule. Here’s everything you need to know about the Forza Horizon 6 countdown, including release times, Game Pass details, editions, preload information, and more.

Quick Information – Forza Horizon 6

Key Information Details
Full Release Date May 19, 2026
Early Access Starts May 15, 2026
Platforms Xbox Series X/S, PC
Game Pass Included Day One
Preload Date May 15, 2026
PC File Size 156.65 GB
Xbox File Size 144.84 GB
Premium Edition Price $129.99
Developer Playground Games
Publisher Xbox Game Studios
Genre Open-world Racing
Multiplayer Yes
Cross-Platform Play Yes
Game Pass Support Yes
Steam Availability Yes
Early Access Premium Edition Only

Full Release Countdown

Forza Horizon 6 officially launches on May 19, 2026.

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Global Release Time Table

Region Early Access Start Full Release Start
Pacific Time (PT) 9 PM, May 14 9 PM, May 18
Central Time (CT) 11 PM, May 14 11 PM, May 18
Eastern Time (ET) 12 AM, May 15 12 AM, May 19
British Summer Time (BST) 5 AM, May 15 5 AM, May 19
Central European Summer Time (CEST) 6 AM, May 15 6 AM, May 19
India Standard Time (IST) 9:30 AM, May 15 9:30 AM, May 19
China Standard Time (CST) 12 PM, May 15 12 PM, May 19
Korea Standard Time (KST) 1 PM, May 15 1 PM, May 19
Japan Standard Time (JST) 1 PM, May 15 1 PM, May 19
Australian Eastern Time (AET) 2 PM, May 15 2 PM, May 19

Can You Play Forza Horizon 6 Early?

Yes. Players who purchase the Premium Edition can jump into the game up to four days before the standard launch.

The Premium Edition includes:

  • Early access
  • DLC expansions
  • Bonus content
  • Additional car packs

Players using Xbox Game Pass can still access the Standard Edition (all editions) at launch on May 19 at no extra cost. However, Game Pass users can also purchase the Premium Add-Ons Bundle separately to unlock early access and extra content.

Forza Horizon 6 Editions and Prices

Edition Price Includes
Standard Edition $69.99 Base game
Deluxe Edition $99.99 Extra content and bonuses
Premium Edition $129.99 Early access, DLC, bonus content, car packs

What to Expect From Forza Horizon 6

Forza Horizon 6 is one of the most anticipated racing games of 2026, mainly because of its Japan-inspired setting, something fans have wanted for years.

The game features:

  • Massive open-world exploration
  • Dynamic weather systems
  • Street racing and drift events
  • Expanded online multiplayer
  • Hundreds of customizable vehicles
  • Improved visuals and lighting

The Horizon series has always balanced realistic visuals with arcade-style gameplay, and Horizon 6 looks ready to push that formula even further.

System Requirements

Component Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements
OS Windows 10 22H2 (version 19045) or higher Windows 10 22H2 (version 19045) or higher
Processor Intel i5-8400 OR AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Intel i5-12400F OR AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Memory 16 GB RAM 16 GB RAM
Graphics Nvidia GTX 1650 OR AMD RX 6500 XT OR Intel Arc A380 NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti OR AMD RX 6700 XT OR Intel Arc A580
DirectX Version 12 Version 12
Network Broadband Internet connection Broadband Internet connection
Storage 167 GB available space 167 GB available space
Additional Notes SSD Required, 64-bit processor and operating system required SSD Required, 64-bit processor and operating system required

Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be one of the biggest racing game launches in years. Between the long-awaited Japan setting, Game Pass availability, early access options, and massive open world, there’s a lot for racing fans to look forward to this month. Whether you plan to jump in through Game Pass or start driving early with the Premium Edition, the countdown to launch is officially on.

If you’re also looking for other major releases arriving this month, check out our full Upcoming Games Releasing in May 2026 roundup featuring all the biggest launches across PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC.

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