- By Prateek Levi
- Fri, 15 May 2026 11:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Forza Horizon 6 Release: The wait for Forza Horizon 6 is almost over. Playground Games is finally opening the gates to its next big open-world racing adventure, with early access kicking off on May 15 ahead of the full global release on May 19. The game is launching on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Game Pass, while a PS5 version has also been confirmed for later this year.
Early Access Timings Revealed
Players who picked up the Premium Edition can jump into the game early starting May 15. Steam users will get access at 12:01am ET, while Xbox players on consoles and the Xbox PC app will unlock the game at 12:01am local time in their respective regions. For players in India, that translates to 12:01am IST on May 15.
Everyone else will have to wait a few more days. The standard launch for all editions begins May 19, following the same regional rollout schedule across Steam and Xbox platforms.
Biggest Horizon Map Yet
This time, Playground Games is taking the Horizon Festival to Japan. The developer says Forza Horizon 6 features the largest map ever created for the franchise, with a world inspired by dense cities, mountain roads, countryside routes, and coastal highways. The game is expected to push the series further with improved visuals, weather systems, and a more dynamic open-world experience.
Editions And Pricing
Forza Horizon 6 comes in three different editions. The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99 globally, while the Deluxe and Premium Editions cost $99.99 and $119.99 respectively.
In India, the pricing stands at Rs. 5,499 for the Standard Edition, Rs. 7,999 for the Deluxe Edition, and Rs. 9,699 for the Premium Edition. Playground Games has also confirmed that the title will not follow regional pricing in India.
The good news for subscribers is that the game will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Reviews Are Already Looking Strong
Critics have responded positively ahead of launch. Review embargoes lifted on May 14, and the game has already emerged as one of the highest-rated releases of the year. On Metacritic, Forza Horizon 6 currently holds a score of 92 based on dozens of reviews, while OpenCritic lists the game at an average score of 91.
That makes it the highest-rated game released in 2026 so far.
Playground Games Issues Bans After Leak
Ahead of launch, the game also ran into an unexpected problem. PC files for Forza Horizon 6 leaked online earlier this week through Steam, allowing some users to access and share a playable build before release.
Playground Games addressed the situation on X and confirmed that players who accessed leaked copies online are facing strict penalties. According to the studio, users caught playing the unauthorized build are receiving both hardware bans and franchise-wide bans.
With early access now rolling out, Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be one of the biggest racing game launches of the year, especially for fans waiting to explore its massive Japan-inspired world.