The highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch in 2026, bringing the open-world racing experience to Japan for the first time in the series’ history. The announcement, made during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show broadcast on September 25, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the franchise, responding to long-standing requests from fans.
Developed by Playground Games and Turn 10, Forza Horizon 6 will initially be available on PC and Xbox consoles, with a planned release on PlayStation 5 following shortly after. According to Xbox exec Matt Booty, “The teams at Playground Games and Turn 10 have poured their hearts into Forza Horizon 6, bringing Japan to life like never before.”
The decision to set the game in Japan comes after years of consideration, with developers citing recent technical advancements as key to realizing the vision. Playground Games art director Don Arceta explained that the team’s work on the Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels DLC helped develop the elevated roads featured in Tokyo City, which is expected to be the “most complex and intricate space of drivable area in a Horizon game yet.”
Forza Horizon 6 will blend the urban landscape of Tokyo with rural areas, including Mount Fuji, and will retain the series’ signature seasonal changes. The game’s setting reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry towards more detailed and culturally authentic virtual environments.
A nine-minute exclusive gameplay demonstration, released on March 5, 2026, showcases a Saleen S7 navigating a portion of the Japan-based map, highlighting both countryside and sections of Tokyo. IGN First provided the exclusive look at the gameplay.
The game is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam on May 19, 2026, with Premium Edition players gaining early access four days prior, on May 15. A PlayStation 5 release will follow later in the year. Xbox Wire details the reasoning behind choosing Japan as the next location, emphasizing the country’s unique culture and the advancements in game development technology.
