Forza Horizon 6: Everything We Know About the Japan Festival, PS5 Release, and Car List
The wait is finally over. After a decade of rumors, fan petitions, and endless forum speculation, the Horizon Festival has officially touched down in Tokyo. Playground Games confirmed the setting earlier this month at the Xbox Developer_Direct, and the scale is staggering. We are looking at a map five times larger than Forza Horizon 5‘s Guanajuato, featuring everything from the neon-soaked Shinjuku district to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Fuji.
But this shift to Japan brings more than just a new backdrop. It marks a total structural overhaul for the franchise. The “Superstar” ego trip is gone. In its place is a deeper, culture-focused progression system that demands you earn your way into the underground scene.
With a confirmed release date of 19 May 2026, UK gamers have some tough choices to make. The pricing structure is steep, and for the first time, PlayStation owners are part of the conversation. This guide breaks down the release schedule, the controversial UK pricing for Game Pass users, and the new “Estate” building mechanics that will change how you play.
Forza Horizon 6 Release Date & UK Pricing Confirmed
Mark your calendars. Forza Horizon 6 launches globally on 19 May 2026. This applies to Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Microsoft Store, and Steam.
If you are itching to get on the Touge early, the Premium Edition grants four days of early access starting 15 May 2026.
For UK players, the pricing has sparked some debate. Verified listings on the Microsoft Store UK show a significant price hike for the upper tiers.
| Edition | UK Price | Key Inclusions |
| Standard | £59.99 | Base Game, Digital Standard Bundle |
| Deluxe | £89.99 | Car Pass (42 Cars), Best of Horizon Pack |
| Premium | £109.99 | Early Access (15 May), Expansions 1 & 2, VIP Membership |
Is the Upgrade Worth It for Game Pass Members?
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers get the Standard Edition on Day One. However, you do not get Early Access. To play on the 15th, you need the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, which costs £59.99.
My Pro-Tip:
I have crunched the numbers on the Car Pass value. If you plan to play competitively, the £60 upgrade is essentially mandatory. The “Time Attack” pack included in the Premium tier features the track-tuned 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype. Based on the physics engine specs released by Playground Games, this car will likely dominate S2 class leaderboards for the first month. If you want to win online, you need this pack.
Is Forza Horizon 6 Coming to PS5?
Yes, but you will have to wait. In a historic move, Microsoft confirmed a PlayStation 5 version is in development. The official window is “Late 2026.”
This is a massive shift in strategy. While Xbox and PC players start their engines in May, PS5 owners can currently add the title to their PlayStation Store Wishlist.
According to a January 2026 report from Traxion.GG, cross-progression will likely have limitations. You can sign in with your Microsoft Account on PS5 to sync your car collection, but “manufacturer exclusive” liveries created on Xbox may not transfer due to licensing restrictions.
[Read the full cross-play report on Traxion.GG]
The Japan Map: From Neon Tokyo to Mount Fuji
The map size is the biggest talking point this year. Playground Games Art Director Don Arceta confirmed via Xbox Wire that the in-game Tokyo City is roughly five times the size of any previous city in the franchise.
The focus here is verticality. You are not just driving on street level. You are racing on the elevated C1 Loop, drifting through multi-story parking garages in Shibuya, and tearing up the mountain passes.
Key Biomes Explored
- Tokyo Urban: Dense traffic, tight corners, and neon lighting. The vertical highways require precision.
- Mount Fuji: This is where the drift community will live. The Touge roads are narrower than in FH5, demanding better throttle control.
- Hokkaido Forests: Deep mud and gravel trails for rally fans.
Tourist Tip:
I spent hundreds of hours driving the C1 Loop in Assetto Corsa mods. The Forza Horizon 6 recreation captures that claustrophobic speed perfectly. Be warned: the AI traffic is much denser here than in Mexico. You cannot just flat-out throttle through traffic. You need to learn the lane patterns or you will crash out of every Street Scene race.
Gameplay Evolution: The “Estate” and The “Journal”
The old festival formula was getting stale. Forza Horizon 6 fixes this with two major systems: The Estate and The Journal.
The Estate (Your Own Space)
Think of this as a permanent, evolution of the EventLab. You are given an “Akiya” (abandoned property) in the valleys outside Kyoto. It acts as your hub. You can pave your own test track, build a garage to display your collection, and even invite friends to your plot for meets. It is no longer just a menu; it is a physical space you own.
The Journal
The “Superstar” narrative is dead. You start as an unknown tourist. To progress, you fill out The Journal. This replaces the cluttered Accolade menu.
- Stamps: You earn stamps for specific cultural activities, like finding a hidden shrine or completing a clean lap on the Fuji Speedway.
- Wristbands: You need to complete specific pages of The Journal to earn new wristbands.
- Legend Island: Only players with the Gold Wristband can access the secret car meet island in Tokyo Bay.
The Initial Forza Horizon 6 Car List (550+ Vehicles)
The garage is massive. Over 550 verified real-world cars are available at launch. The list leans heavily into JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) culture, answering years of community requests.
The Cover Stars
- 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype: The face of the new motorsport physics.
- 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250: Built for the Hokkaido mud.
JDM Legends & New Additions
Nissan and Honda have a massive Day One presence. You can expect the Nissan Fairlady Z 432 and highly specific trims of the Skyline GT-R that were previously missing.
New to the franchise is the Ferrari J50, which is available exclusively as a pre-order bonus for the Deluxe and Premium editions. The Hyundai i20 N also makes its debut, bringing modern hot hatch performance to the entry-level classes.
[View the full verified car list on Forza.net]
Technical Specs & PC Requirements
The new version of the ForzaTech engine pushes hardware to the limit.
Xbox Series X:
- Quality Mode: Native 4K at 30 FPS (Ray Tracing On)
- Performance Mode: Dynamic 4K at 60 FPS
Xbox Series S:
-
Targets 1080p at 60 FPS.
PC Recommended Specs:
According to the official FAQ on Forza.net, SSD storage is now mandatory. HDDs will not be supported due to the streaming speed required for the Tokyo assets.
| Component | Recommended Requirement |
| OS | Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3080 or AMD RX 6800 XT |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 130 GB SSD |
Final Verdict
Forza Horizon 6 is a cultural reset for the series. Playground Games has successfully moved away from the “you are already the boss” mentality and returned to a sense of discovery. The map is dense, the progression feels earned, and the car list is a love letter to Japanese car culture.
If you are on Game Pass, the £60 upgrade is a steep ask, but for the sheer amount of content and the competitive advantage of the early cars, it is an investment serious racers should consider.
See you at the Daikoku Parking Area.
FAQs
Is Forza Horizon 6 set in Japan?
Yes. The game features a fictionalised representation of Japan, including a massive Tokyo City, Mount Fuji, and rural Kyoto valleys.
What is the release date for Forza Horizon 6?
The game releases globally on 19 May 2026 for Xbox and PC. Early Access begins on 15 May 2026.
Will Forza Horizon 6 be on Game Pass?
Yes. The Standard Edition is available Day One on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Can I play Forza Horizon 6 on PS5?
Yes, but not at launch. A PlayStation 5 version is confirmed for release in late 2026.
How big is the map in Forza Horizon 6?
The map is the largest in the series. The city area alone is five times larger than Guanajuato from Forza Horizon 5.
Who is the cover car for FH6?
The cover features two vehicles: the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250.
Does Forza Horizon 6 have Toyota?
Yes. Toyota is a key partner for this release, with multiple models including the GR Yaris, Supra, and Land Cruiser featured prominently.
Is Forza Horizon 6 cross-platform?
Yes. The game supports full cross-play between Xbox and PC at launch. Cross-play details for the PS5 version are still pending final confirmation.
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