Catherine Hu
If you’re reading this in December 2025 expecting clarity on Forza Horizon 6’s exact launch date, we have mixed news. Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled for release in 2026, with credible leakers suggesting ‘early’ 2026, which extends the series’ gap between entries to five years, the longest yet. It will launch first on Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC in 2026, included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch.
However, it’s not all radio silence. According to prolific leaker NateTheHate, Forza Horizon 6 is targeting a release in the “first half of 2026”. We now have concrete details on the Japan setting, PlayStation plans, and what to expect when the Horizon Festival finally arrives.
Here’s the definitive breakdown of Forza Horizon 6’s status as we head into 2026.
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
- Release Date: First half of 2026 (January-June targeting)
- Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam/Microsoft Store), Game Pass Day 1
- PlayStation 5: Post-launch (timeline TBA)
- Location: Japan (Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi confirmed)
- Estimated Price: Likely $59.99 – $69.99 (AAA racing standard)
Table of Contents
- Editor’s View: The “First Half 2026” Surprise
- The Official 2026 Launch Window Explained
- Price Prediction: How Much Will It Cost?
- Japan Setting: Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Touge Roads
- PlayStation 5: Why the “Post-Launch” Delay?
- Why This Is the Longest Gap in Horizon History
- Estimated System Requirements
- How XMOD Will Support Forza Horizon 6
- Optimize Your Entire Library with XMOD
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Editor’s View: The “First Half 2026” Surprise
“Japan Finally Arrives, But Earlier Than Expected”
Catherine Hu | Racing Game Specialist and Game Writer at XMOD
“The leak suggesting before end of June 2026 is stunning. Every Horizon game has launched in fall—September to November. Would Microsoft want to release its biggest open-world driving game in the same window as GTA 6, which is coming November 19, 2026? Smart move to go early. Tokyo will be one of the ‘most detailed and layered environments’ featured in a Horizon game, with the city’s network of elevated expressways recreated. If they nail the Tokyo Xtreme Racer vibes, this could be legendary.”
The Official 2026 Launch Window Explained
The official announcement confirmed “Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox consoles and PC in 2026”. Revealed during the Xbox livestream at Tokyo Game Show 2025, the game marks the franchise’s most requested location.
Why the “First Half” Target?
Credible insider Nate the Hate replied that the first half of 2026 has been the target and still is. This would represent a pretty big departure for the Forza Horizon series, as previously this franchise only ever released in the Fall.
December 2025 Update:
Many fans think we’ll get our first ‘proper’ trailer at the Xbox Developer Direct event in late January or early February 2026, with gameplay showcase expected shortly after.
Price Prediction: How Much Will It Cost?
While Microsoft has not confirmed pricing, we can estimate based on industry standards:
- Forza Horizon 5: Launched at $59.99 (Standard), $99.99 (Premium)
- Forza Motorsport (2023): Launched at $69.99
- Forza Horizon 6 Prediction: $59.99 – $69.99 USD
Why potential increase?
Next-generation graphics, realistic lighting, and dynamic environmental features will enhance immersion with HDR reflections on wet roads and detailed day-night cycles. AAA racing titles increasingly target $69.99 for current-gen exclusives.
Pro Tip: With an active Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership, you will be able to play Forza Horizon 6 at launch at no additional cost.
Japan Setting: Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Touge Roads
Japan has been one of the most iconic and fan-requested locations, and bringing the Horizon Festival to this incredible region has been one of our largest ambitions yet .
Confirmed Locations:
Eagle-eyed fans have identified Lake Kawaguchi, just to the north of Mount Fuji, from the teaser trailer. Developer Kyoko Yamashita revealed players can expect a mix of urban city environments and vast Japanese countryside locations.
Tokyo Expressways:
Tokyo will be included almost certainly serving as a hub city, with the city’s network of elevated expressways recreated to some extent—sounds like serious Tokyo Xtreme Racer vibes.
Touge & Drift Culture:
Drift-focused events on mountain passes, touge battles along twisty narrow roads, and high-speed highway challenges celebrate speed, skill, and exploration.
Fujimi Kaido Connection:
We’d like to suggest that the recently remodelled Fujimi Kaido from Forza Motorsport might be integrated into Horizon 6’s open world as a nice nod to the series that spawned Horizon.
PlayStation 5: Why the “Post-Launch” Delay?
Microsoft confirmed that the Forza Horizon 6 release date for PS5 will be delayed, with Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios working together to bring Forza Horizon 6 to PlayStation 5 post-launch.
Xbox-First Strategy:
The port this time is being handled in-house by Forza developers rather than outsourced to Panic Button, as the FH5 one was. This suggests Microsoft is prioritizing quality over speed for PS5 conversion.
Timeline Unknown:
No specific post-launch window has been announced. Hopefully, there won’t be another three-and-a-half-year wait between the game’s launch and its arrival on PS5.
Why This Is the Longest Gap in Horizon History
The planned five-year gap breaks Horizon’s usual 2-3 year release cycle. Here’s why:
Franchise History:
- Forza Horizon 1: September 2012
- Forza Horizon 2: September 2014 (2 years)
- Forza Horizon 3: September 2016 (2 years)
- Forza Horizon 4: October 2018 (2 years)
- Forza Horizon 5: November 2021 (3 years)
- Forza Horizon 6: Early 2026 (4.5+ years)
Playground’s Dual Projects:
Playground has been working on Fable since the release of FH5, splitting resources across two major AAA projects for the first time.
Estimated System Requirements
With next-gen exclusivity, hardware demands will increase significantly:
Predicted Specs:
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- RAM: 16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended for 4K)
- GPU: RTX 3070 / RX 6800 XT minimum for 1080p High
- Storage: SSD Required (likely 120GB+, following FH5’s 110GB footprint)
- DirectX: DirectX 12 Ultimate
How XMOD Will Support Forza Horizon 6
Cars and vehicle culture remain at the heart with expanded customization options, rare car events, and tuning mechanics.
When Forza Horizon 6 launches in 2026, XMOD will be ready with Day 1 Trainer support:
Infinite Credits: Unlock every car in the Japan roster instantly without grinding Seasonal Championships.
Skill Points Multiplier: Max out car mastery trees to unlock exclusive perks and cosmetics.
Festival Playlist Auto-Complete: Skip repetitive weekly challenges while still earning rewards.
Drift Score Enhancer: Perfect for learning touge roads and mountain pass techniques without pressure.
Car Collection Manager: Track owned vehicles, missing exclusives, and auction house deals efficiently.
XMOD will provide full trainer support upon the game’s official release, ensuring compatibility and stability from day one.
Optimize Your Entire Library with XMOD
While you wait for Japan 2026, XMOD supports the biggest racing hits on PC right now:
Forza Horizon 5: Infinite credits and instant car unlocks for Mexico’s festival.
Need for Speed Unbound: Skip the grind and access S+ tier builds immediately.
The Crew Motorfest: Unlimited currency and instant vehicle delivery.
Stop downloading separate trainers for every racing game. Get XMOD and manage your entire library in one place.
FAQ
Q: Is there an exact release date?
A: According to NateTheHate, Forza Horizon 6 is targeting release in the “first half of 2026,” meaning before end of June. Official confirmation expected early 2026.
Q: Will it come to Nintendo Switch 2?
A: A FH6 Switch 2 port wasn’t listed at all in official announcements, so that means the game currently isn’t being planned for the new Nintendo console.
Q: Can I transfer my FH5 progress?
A: Not confirmed. Historically, Horizon games have been standalone with no cross-game progression transfer.
Q: Will seasons return?
A: The Forza Horizon 6 team confirmed that players can expect Seasons as a returning feature.
Conclusion
Forza Horizon 6 extends the series’ gap to five years, the longest yet, but the first half 2026 targeting puts the game in a good position to benefit from the GTA 6 delay.
With the latest advancements in technology and design, Playground Games is creating a game world that showcases the beautiful landscapes and rich heritage of Japan. The shift to early 2026 instead of traditional fall launch suggests Microsoft is strategically avoiding direct competition with Rockstar’s juggernaut.
Until launch day, XMOD is here to support your racing adventures in Forza Horizon 5, Need for Speed Unbound, and beyond.
[Download XMOD to Prepare for Forza Horizon 6’s Japan Launch]
Nancy Miller