Key Takeaways
- Forza Horizon 6 Early Access begins May 15, 2026, for Premium Edition and Premium Upgrade owners, four days ahead of the May 19 general release
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox app on PC unlock at 12:01 AM local time; Steam users get a single global unlock at 4:01 AM UTC on May 15
- The game features over 550 real-world cars set across Japan’s most detailed open-world map in Horizon series history
- Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can access the Standard Edition from May 19, with the option to purchase the Premium Upgrade for Early Access
After months of anticipation and no shortage of pre-launch noise, Playground Games‘ Forza Horizon 6 is finally beginning to land in players’ hands.
Early Access rolled out today, May 15, putting one of Xbox’s most anticipated releases of 2026 in front of its first wave of players.
The destination this time is Japan, and by all accounts, it’s the most ambitious open-world environment the Horizon series has ever built.
Who Gets In and When
Forza Horizon 6 Early Access officially launched today for players who purchased the Premium Edition or Premium Upgrade, giving racers four days of early play before the full May 19 release.
The rollout follows a split rollout system, with Xbox Series X/S and Xbox PC users unlocking the game at 12:01 AM local time, while Steam players worldwide gained access at 4:01 AM UTC on May 15.
Some players ran into the familiar “You’re too early” launch error, prompting Playground to clarify on Forza.net that access requires the Premium Edition, the Premium Upgrade paired with another edition, or an active Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription.
The launch follows weeks of online buzz surrounding a major pre-release leak that revealed an unfinished build of the game.
Despite that leak, reports tracked by Yahoo show the official release still generated strong excitement across the racing community, with players highlighting improved polish, refinements, and launch-day performance improvements absent from the leaked version.
Game Pass Access and What Each Tier Gets You
For most players on Game Pass, the wait for Forza Horizon 6 continues until the full launch on May 19. The Standard Edition is included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at no extra cost, but it only unlocks on release day.
Players on Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Starter tiers are not included, meaning they must upgrade or buy the game separately to access it.
Early Access is available only through the Premium Edition or Premium Upgrade, which also bundles major extras like VIP Membership with a 2x credit boost, weekly Super Wheelspin, and exclusive cosmetic items.
Players also receive the Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, and Car Pass, which adds 30 new cars over time, starting after launch. The Italian Passion Car Pack and two Premium Expansions are also included, releasing at later dates.
It’s a package that makes the upgrade feel like genuine value for committed players, and it’s consistent withMicrosoft’s broader push to anchor Game Pass around must-have titles at every price tier heading into the second half of 2026.
Japan, 550 Cars, and What Comes Next
Forza Horizon 6 drops players into Japan, featuring Tokyo’s dense city streets, docks, rural roads, and industrial zones in Playground Games’ most detailed open world yet.
The game includes over 550 real-world cars, with fan-favorite JDM classics making a strong return. Car Pass content begins on May 19, starting with the 1990 Nissan #12 Skyline GT-R (BNR32 Gr. A) JTC as the first weekly drop.
Launch is currently limited to Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a PlayStation 5 release confirmed for a later date.
Xbox Cloud Gaming support also arrives on May 19, though it won’t include Early Access. The shift to Japan marks a major evolution for the Forza Horizon series, aligning with current gaming trends, which push toward deeper, more living open-world racing experiences.
