Playground Games is releasing Forza Horizon 6 on May 19, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Players who buy the digital version or play through Game Pass will have access at different times, depending on their location and the edition of the game they purchase.
This guide to Forza Horizon 6 will tell you exactly when the game comes out around the world, how you might be able to start playing sooner, and break down the differences between the three available versions – it’s easy to get them mixed up!
Below is a countdown clock showing the launch date for Forza Horizon 6. Please keep in mind this timer is specifically for the Standard Edition, which releases on May 18th or 19th, depending on your region.
Where to Buy
What Time Does Forza Horizon 6 Come Out?
Global Release Times for FH6
For players getting the standard version of Forza Horizon 6, or playing through Game Pass, the game will be available starting May 18th at 9 PM Pacific Time, or May 19th at 12 AM Eastern Time. The table below details release times for other regions worldwide, and also shows when the Premium Edition—which gives players access four days early—will launch.
| Time Zone | Premium | Standard Release |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | May 14 at 9 PM | May 18 at 9 PM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | May 14 at 10 PM | May 18 at 10 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | May 14 at 11 PM | May 18 at 11 PM |
| Eastern Time (ET) | May 15 at 12 AM | May 19 at 12 AM |
| United Kingdom (BST) | May 15 at 5 AM | May 19 at 5 AM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | May 15 at 6 AM | May 19 at 6 AM |
| Japan (JST) | May 15 at 1 PM | May 19 at 1 PM |
| Australia | May 15 at 2 PM | May 19 at 2 PM |
How to Play Forza Horizon 6 Early
To get four days of early access to Forza Horizon 6, you’ll need to buy the Premium Edition, which costs $119.99 – that’s $40 more than the standard edition. If you choose the Premium Edition, you can start playing on May 14th at 9 PM Pacific Time / May 15th at 12 AM Eastern Time. But what else do you get for the extra cost? Let’s take a look.
| Features | Standard – $69.99 | Deluxe – $99.99 | Premium – $119.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Car Pass 30 Extra Cars | No | Yes | Yes |
| Expansion 1 | No | No | Yes |
| Expansion 2 | No | No | Yes |
| VIP Membership 3 Exclusive Forza Edition Cars, Crown Flair, Emote, Car Horn; free Tokyo City Player House/perk, 2x CR rewards, weekly Super Wheelspins | No | No | Yes |
| Time Attack Car Pack 8 extra cars | No | No | Yes |
| Italian Passion Car Pack 4 extra cars | No | No | Yes |
| Welcome Pack 5 pre-tuned cars, 1 Car Voucher (from Autoshow cars), free Player House, 3 tickets for Common or Rare clothing items | No | Yes | Yes |
So, Is the Premium Edition Worth It?
If you’re a big fan of cars and really enjoy the Forza Horizon games, the Premium Edition could be a great value. It includes the two upcoming expansions, plus a lot of extra cars and other bonus content.
Look, I’m really excited about Horizon 6, but honestly, if I’m not 100% sure I’ll be playing it for a long time, I think I’ll just get the regular version. That way, I can see how I feel after finishing the main story and decide later if I want to buy the expansions. No need to commit to the whole package right away!
Does the New Zealand Trick Work for Forza Horizon 6?
The usual method of changing your Xbox region to New Zealand to play games early won’t work with Forza Horizon 6. This time, the game is launching globally at the same time for all players, so there’s no benefit to altering your system’s time or location. While some players have accessed leaked copies of FH6, we advise against doing so.
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2026-05-12 17:38